Systems and methods for facilitating transmission of content from a source to a user device

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment, a method provides for registering a user device with a service, associating one or more selected sources of content with the user device and obtaining content from the one or more selected sources in accordance with one or more content rules. Qualifying content comprising content satisfying the one or more content rules is then transmitted to the user device for viewing by an associated viewing user.

The present application claims benefit and priority under 35 U.S.C.§119(e) to (i) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/327,675,filed on Apr. 24, 2010, and titled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FACILITATINGUSE OF TECHNOLOGY”, (ii) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.61/350,709, filed on Jun. 2, 2010, and titled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FORFACILITATING USE OF TECHNOLOGY”, and (ii) U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/390,703, filed on Oct. 7, 2010, and titled“SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FACILITATING USE OF TECHNOLOGY”. Each of theabove-referenced applications is hereby incorporated by referenceherein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features, aspects and advantages of theinvention are described in detail below with reference to the drawingsof various embodiments, which are intended to illustrate and not tolimit the invention. The drawings comprise the following figures inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example system for facilitatingtransmission of content from a source to a user device, in accordancewith some embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating how content may be pulledfrom multiple sources, modified by a computing device, and displayed ina combined fashion on a user device, in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example server device operable tofacilitate transmission of content from a source to a user device, inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example user device, in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 5A is an example record of a user device database, in accordancewith some embodiments.

FIG. 5B is an example record of a user device database, in accordancewith some embodiments.

FIG. 5C is an example record of a user device database, in accordancewith some embodiments.

FIG. 6 is an example table of a content rule database, in accordancewith some embodiments.

FIG. 7 is an example record of a content database, in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 8 is flowchart illustrating an example process that may beperformed, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example process that may beperformed, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example process that may beperformed, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example process that may beperformed, in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of various embodimentsare described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily allsuch advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particularembodiment. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognizethat an embodiment or aspect of an embodiment may be embodied or carriedout in a manner that achieves one advantage or group of advantages astaught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may betaught or suggested herein.

Although several embodiments, examples and illustrations are disclosedbelow, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art thatthe invention(s) described herein extend(s) beyond the specificallydisclosed embodiments, examples and illustrations and includes otheruses of the invention(s) and obvious modifications and equivalentsthereof. Embodiments of the invention(s) are described with reference tothe accompanying figures, wherein like numerals refer to like elementsthroughout. The terminology used in the description presented herein isnot intended to be interpreted in any limited or restrictive mannersimply because it is being used in conjunction with a detaileddescription of certain specific embodiments of the invention(s). Inaddition, embodiments of the invention(s) can comprise several novelfeatures and it is possible that no single feature is solely responsiblefor its desirable attributes or is essential to practicing theinvention(s) herein described.

Applicants have recognized that the availability tools and resourceswhich allow an individual to keep up with the news and happenings offriends, family, colleagues, businesses and organizations and use ofvarious social networking sites has become overwhelming. For example, anindividual may have an account at multiple social or professionalnetworking sites (e.g., FACEBOOK, MYSPACE, LINKEDIN, FRIENDSTER,FOURSQUARE), track postings at multiple blogs or other sites (e.g.,TWITTER) and/or have friends, family or colleagues who upload and sharephotos via various photography storage sites (e.g., FLICKR, SHUTTERFLY,OFOTO). Keeping up with the updates to each of such sites can turn intoa time-consuming task. To further complicate the situation, manyindividuals who would like to more actively keep up with the updates tothe many social networking, blog, photo and/or other sites or sources ofcontent may have little or no interest in some types of the contentbeing posted on such sources. For example, individuals may not beinterested in the constant location updates some users of socialnetworking sites engage in (e.g., “Bob has just checked in a the localpizza place, Bob has now checked in at the movie theater, Bob has notchecked in at the local gas station, etc.), comments made by other userson a particular user's posting, or links to articles or other websitesthat someone may have posted. While some tools are available for mergingthe different streams of content from multiple sources (e.g., the TAPTUand FRIENDS apps available for download by users), such tools merelymerge the content from the selected sources and thus create an even moreoverwhelming stream of data, without providing any meaningful controlsor filters that a user may utilize to control the data from the sourcesthat is output to the user.

Applicants have further recognized that there is a significant portionof the population who is not well versed in using electroniccommunication channels and resources such as the ones discussed aboveand is thus left out of the loop when it comes to the happenings oftheir friends and family. For example, elderly individuals such asgrandparents may not have the interest and/or ability to set up and/ormonitor accounts with online sources of content yet remain veryinterested in knowing what their family and friends are up to andreceiving updates and photos from them. Unfortunately, much of theyounger generation is so busy and relies so heavily on utilizing theironline source of choice to post updates about their life (e.g., postingupdates and photos on FACEBOOK, posting photos on digital photographystorage sites such as SHUTTERFLY) that they often do not recognize (orhave the time to provide updates via additional methodologies) thattheir elderly family members or friends do not have the benefit of beingable to keep up with their goings on via the online updates. While sometools exist (e.g., digital photo frames, such as ones made available byCEIVA) for providing digital photos and other information to persons whoare not monitoring their family's online activities, such tools rely onthe family members remembering to take the time to pro-actively postcontent to the digital photo frame in addition to their regular routineof posting to the social networking site.

Thus, Applicants have recognized a need for a resource which provides anindividual an ability to monitor content on one or more online sources(e.g., a specified account of a social networking site, a digitalphotography storage site, a blog, a cloud storage system (e.g., DROPBOX)in a manner that (i) allows for control and filtering of the contentthat is posted to such sources such that only the types of content thatis of interest is transmitted to the individual; (ii) is relativelyseamless and automated to the individual who will be viewing thecontent; (iii) is relatively seamless and automated to users who postthe content (such that the users posting the content are not relied uponto remember to pro-actively forward the content to the individual whowill be viewing the content); and/or (iv) provides a rules-based systemvia which a central controller can monitor, select and transmit contentfrom multiple online sources to a user device.

Thus, some embodiments described herein comprise methods, systems andarticles of manufacture which provide for (i) registering a user deviceoperable to receive, over a network, content from one or more availablesources, thereby determining a registered user device; (ii) receiving,in association with the user device, a selection of one or more of theone or more available sources, thereby determining one or more selectedsources; (iii) receiving, in association with the user device, anindication of at least one content rule for use in determining whichcontent available via the one or more selected sources is to betransmitted to the user device, thereby determining at least oneselected content rule; (iv) monitoring content posted on the one or moreselected sources; (v) selecting, based on the at least one selectedcontent rule and the monitoring, content to transmit to the registereduser device, thereby determining selected content; and (vi) transmittingthe selected content to the registered user device.

In accordance with some embodiments, one or more of these functions maybe performed by a processor of a computing device operable to facilitatesuch functionality. The computing device may comprise, for example, oneor more servers of an entity operable to facilitate the monitoring,selection and/or transmission of content form multiple sources (e.g., inaccordance with a content rule selected by a user) to a registered userdevice. In another embodiment, the computing device may comprise theuser device via which the selected content is to be viewed (e.g., anapplication may be downloaded or otherwise stored on a smartphone,digital picture frame, personal computer, tablet computer or otherdevice, which enables the computing device to perform such functions).

In accordance with some embodiments, a source of the one or moreavailable sources comprises an account of a social networking web siteor an account of a photography storage web site. Of course, othersources are contemplated. For example, a cloud storage site or service(e.g., such as the one provided by DROPBOX or AMAZON.COM's EC2 cloudstorage service), a blog, a personal computer or other device with apermanent Internet Protocol (IP) address, or any other source accessiblevia a network may be accessed for purposes of embodiments describedherein.

In some embodiments, the selected sources may comprise accounts of theuser who will be viewing content transmitted to the registered userdevice (e.g., a user who purchases or otherwise obtains a registereduser device may use embodiments described herein to more effectively andefficiently monitor (or have monitored for him/her) content posted tothe one or more sources of interest to the user. In another embodiment,a first user who is the viewer of the content transmitted to theregistered user device may utilize the registered user device to viewcontent posted via accounts of friends, family and colleagues. Forexample, grandma may utilize the registered viewer device to view someof the content (e.g., content qualifying based on the content ruleassociated with the registered user device) posted to accounts of herfriends and family, without having to open her own account with any ofthe relevant sites or services.

In accordance with some embodiments, the functionality of monitoring,selecting and transmitting content from one or more selected sources toa registered user device may be performed by a server operated by afirst entity which is distinct from an entity that manufacture, sells orprovides the user device to which the content is transmitted. Thus, forexample, a user may register a user device sold, distributed orotherwise made available by a first company (e.g., a digital pictureframe, a dedicated device with limited capabilities, a smart phone, apersonal computer, etc.) with a web site or service that will monitorsources for qualifying content and transmit such content to theregistered user device but who is a different company than the firstcompany. This is beneficial in that the web site or service formonitoring the sources may be agnostic or compatible with many differenttypes of user devices. In one embodiment, a user device may need tofirst download a proprietary software application of such a web site orservice in order to be operable to receive transmissions of content fromsuch a web site or service. In other embodiments, the same entity whosells, distributes or otherwise makes available the user devicesdescribed herein may also operate a web site or service for monitoring,selecting and/or transmitting content to the user device.

Applicants have recognized that in some circumstances it may bedesirable to set a minimum content threshold in association with a userdevice. For example, a user device may become unattractive or unused toa user who desires to view content on the user device if the contenttransmitted to the user device is not updated with a sufficientfrequency or if an insufficient amount of content is available ortransmitted to the user device. For example, if grandma receives adigital picture frame for a present but there are very few picturesdownloaded to it (or new pictures are not downloaded to it for months ata time), grandma may simply put the picture frame away and cease to useit. Thus, in some embodiments, a minimum content threshold is determined(e.g., selected by a user associated with a user device, whether it bethe user who is viewing the content transmitted to the user device oranother user who registers and/or manages the operations of theregistered user device). For example, it may be selected that at leastone (1) new photo be transmitted to the registered user device per weekand/or that the registered user device has stored for display at leastten (10) photos at any given time. In such embodiments, provisions maybe made for ensuring that such a minimum content threshold is satisfied(or at least minimizing the likelihood that such a minimum contentthreshold is not satisfied). For example, in some embodiments a defaultcontent rule may be associated with a registered user device, for use inselecting and transmitting default content for the registered userdevice if insufficient qualifying content is identified by use of theselected content rule that is used as a first resort for determiningcontent for the registered user device. In another embodiment, a user(e.g., friend or family member of the user who views the contenttransmitted to the registered user device) may be contacted and asked toprovide or find content for transmission to the registered user device.In still another embodiment, a schedule of transmission may be utilizedto schedule or queue content for transmission to the registered userdevice (e.g., if ten (10) new photos are identified for transmission tothe registered user device, five (5) may be transmitted to theregistered user device at a first transmission time and the next five(5) may be transmitted to the registered user device at a secondtransmission time).

In accordance with some embodiments, in lieu of (or in addition to) aservice actively monitoring and selecting content from selected sourcesfor transmission to a registered user device, the service may allow fora “content manager” to be associated with the user device. In suchembodiments, the content manager may be a user (e.g., a friend or familymember of the user who views the content transmitted to the registereduser device), an employee of such a service or software. In accordancewith such embodiments, described herein are methods, apparatus andarticles of manufacture which provide for (i) registering a user deviceoperable to receive, over a network, content from one or more availablesources, thereby determining a registered user device (in someembodiments the registered user device is associated with a first userwho is designated as a viewer of content transmitted to the registereduser device); (ii) receiving, in association with the user device, aselection of one or more of the one or more available sources, therebydetermining one or more selected sources; (iii) receiving, inassociation with the user device, information identifying a second userto serve as a content manager for the user device, the content managerbeing designated to identify and approve content to be transmitted tothe registered user device, the content manager being a user who isdistinct from the first user; (iv) receiving, by the processor and fromthe content manager, an indication of content selected by the contentmanager to be transmitted to the registered user device, therebydetermining selected content; and (v) transmitting the selected contentto the registered user device.

As with the previously described embodiments, any of the functionalitydescribed in the immediately preceding paragraph may be performed by aprocessor of a computing device. The computing device may be the userdevice (e.g., via a software application downloaded to or otherwisestored on the user device) or another device (e.g., a server operated byan entity which provides a service for obtaining and transmittingcontent to the user device).

In some embodiments, a service for obtaining and transmitting content tothe user device (or the user device itself) may receive suggestedcontent from a third user and may seek approval from the content managerassociated with the user device prior to displaying (in the case theservice is the user device) the content on the user device ortransmitting (in the case the service is a device distinct from the userdevice) the content to the user device.

A content manager may also be reminded to obtain and/or provide contentfor transmission to or display on the user device (e.g., in order tomeet a minimum content threshold or a schedule for displaying content ortransmitting content to the user device).

In accordance with some embodiments, the operator of a service whichmonitors, selects and/or transmits content from one or more selectedsources (whether the content is selected for transmission by the serviceor provided and/or approved by a content manager) to a registered userdevice may also modify, annotate, merge, amalgamate, reformat, summarizeand/or alter the content. For example, the service may merge contentfrom multiple sources into a single news event that it summarizes. Inanother example, the service may provide a brief description of thecontent, based on information associated with who posted the content andany comments made about the content. In yet another example, the servicemay put the content into a periodical newsletter that also provides awritten narrative of activities depicted in the content. In someembodiments, a content manage may perform any of such modifying,annotating, merging, amalgamating, reformatting, summarizing and/oraltering of the content.

A brief explanation of some terms used throughout the presentdescription is now provided in alphabetical order, to aid in theunderstanding of the present description:

Content: Content, as the term is used herein unless indicated otherwise,is any data, information, media, files or transmission that may be madeavailable via a source, whether it be text-based (e.g., a text or SMS(short message system), a digital photo, a link, a message, anattachment to message, a posting (or notification of a posting) to awebsite (e.g., a social networking site such as FACEBOOK or MYSPACE), aMulti-Media Message (MMS), an video file (e.g., a YOUTUBE VIDEO) oraudio file (e.g., a WAV or MP3 file).

User Device: A User Device (which includes a registered User Device), asthe term is used herein unless indicated otherwise, refers to acomputing device operable to receive Content via a network (e.g., theInternet). In many embodiments, a User Device includes a displaycomponent for displaying content (e.g., digital photos). In someembodiments, a User Device includes a speaker for outputting audiocontent. In some embodiments, a User Device may be operable to sendand/or receive Content over a wireless network (e.g., a radio orsatellite network) and/or may be a portable or mobile device. Examplesof such mobile User Devices include cellular telephones and satellitetelephones, smartphones (e.g., APPLE IPHONE, BLACKBERRY PHONE, anANDROID platform-based telephones which are capable of facilitating notonly voice and text-based messages but also allow for web browsing andfor running relatively complex software applications), cordlesstelephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), pagers or any otherdevice which facilitates display of Content. In some embodiments, a UserDevice may be a stationary computing device (e.g., a desktop or personalcomputer). In some embodiments, a User Device may be a dedicated devicededicated to receiving and outputting content to facilitate theembodiments described herein. In some embodiments, a User Device maycomprise a simplified computing device with limited processing power,such as a digital picture frame, a CHUMBY device, which provides forlimited Internet and radio station access, as well as serving as analarm clock). In some embodiments, a User Device may be integrated intoanother system, packaging, structure or device, such as a vehicle,wearable apparel, entertainment system and/or be operable to dock orconnect with a wireless enabling accessory system (e.g., a Wi-Fi dockingsystem). In some embodiments, a User Device may be operable tosynchronize with a local or remote computing system to receive, downloador upload Content, download software applications and to receive and/ortransmit other data.

Content Conversion Server: A Content Conversion Server, as the term isused herein unless indicated otherwise, comprises one or more computingdevices operated by an entity or service for purposes of facilitatingthe monitoring and selection of Content on behalf of a Viewing User(defined below) and/or transmission of selected Content to a registeredUser Device. The Content Conversion Server may facilitate the monitoringand selection of Content from one or more selected services by activelymonitoring and selecting Content based on a content rule and/or defaultrule associated with the registered User Device and/or by help of adesignated Content Manager associated with the registered User Device.It should be noted that a Content Conversion Server may not necessarily“convert” Content in the sense that the Content is altered orreformatted in any sense. In some embodiments, it may simply forward orcopy the Content in its original form.

Content Manager: A Content Manager, as the term is used herein unlessindicated otherwise, comprises an entity (e.g., a user who is not aViewing User (defined below)) associated with a registered User Deviceand authorized to monitor, select, obtain, provide, prompt others toprovide and/or approve Content for transmission and/or display on theassociated registered User Device. In some embodiments, a ContentManager may be embodied as one or more software applications formonitoring, selecting, obtaining, prompting for and/or approving Contentfor transmission to a User Device.

Contributing User: a Contributing User, as the term is used hereinunless indicated otherwise, comprises an entity who contributes Contentfor the benefit of a Viewing User. For example, a Contributing User maycomprise a friend or family member of a Viewing User who agrees toprovide Content directly (e.g., directly to the User Device of theViewing User and/or directly to Content Conversion Server 300, forsubsequent transmission to the User Device of the Viewing User) oragrees that Content made available on a Source managed by theContributing User (e.g., an online account of the Contributing User,such as a social networking account or a digital photography storageaccount) may be reviewing or monitored and selected for transmission tothe User Device of the Viewing User. A Contributing User may use a UserDevice to contribute Content to a Source, to a User Device of a ViewingUser and/or to Content Conversion Server 300.

Viewing User: A Viewing User, as the term is used herein unlessindicated otherwise, refers to a user who has Content from one or moreselected sources monitored and selected on his/her behalf (e.g., by aContent Conversion Server and/or a Content Manager) and views theselected Content via a User Device.

To help highlight some benefits and uses that may be derived fromembodiments described herein, provided in this section are someillustrative examples of how aspects of the invention(s) describedherein may be embodied. It should be understood that no aspect of thefollowing examples is intended to limit how aspects of the invention(s)described herein may be practiced or interpreted.

In one example, a service facilitates display of Content via a UserDevice, which User Device requires little to no interaction from aViewing User. Such a User Device can thus be provided to a relativelytechnologically illiterate user (i.e., a user relatively unfamiliar withcommunication technology or online content sources and who is at timesreferred to as a “low-tech user” herein). The transmission of Contentto, and display of Content on, such a device may be controlled by aremote device owned by another user who is more capable and/orcomfortable using modem technologies and online Content sources (thislatter user being at times referred to as a “high-tech user” herein). Inthe illustrative example, one or more high-tech users can use one ormore computing devices to cause selected Content from one or more onlineSources to be transmitted to the low-tech user's User Device. Forinstance, one high-tech user may select text (initially sent over SMS oremail) to be displayed on the low-tech user's device. Similarly, anotherhigh-tech user may select recorded audio in an MMS, email, web upload,etc., to be output on the low-tech user's device. Images and or videomay also be uploaded and/or sent to a low-tech user's device. In someembodiments, one or more of the high-tech users may be designated as aContent Manager for the low-tech user and thus be authorized toselect/approve Content to be transmitted to the Viewing User's UserDevice via Content Conversion Server. In another embodiment, a ContentConversion Server may be authorized to monitor and select Content postedby the one or more high-tech users associated with the low-tech user (orwith the low-tech user's User Device) on one or more selected onlineSources (e.g., each high tech user may correspond to an account of anonline Source which is monitored by the Content Conversion Server forContent which qualifies for transmission to the low-tech user's UserDevice in accordance with one or more associated Content rules).

The service described above may enable aggregation and transmission ofContent comprising digital media. In one example, Content made availableby one or more high-tech users (either directly to the ContentConversion Server or indirectly by being posted on a selected Sourcebeing monitored by the Content Conversion Server) is collected by theContent Conversion Server and transmitted to the associated low-techuser's User Device. In such an example, the Content Conversion Serveroperates as a currier that handles Content selection and/or collectionfrom multiple high-tech user devices and/or accounts and then transmitsthe Content to a low-tech user's device. In other words, high-tech usersthat register with the Content Conversion Server can allow Content to betransmitted to low-tech user's User Devices through the ContentConversion Server.

In another example, the Content Conversion Server may enabletransmission of Content directly from a high-tech user's User Device toa low-tech user's User Device. In such an example, the ContentConversion Server may operate to register a low-tech user's User Devicein association with one or more high-tech users' User Devices and/orAccounts. The Content Conversion Server may thus handle accountregistration and formation and may also handle “permission” forcommunication from one device to another. In other words, high- techusers can send Content directly to the low-tech device; the servicesimply makes sure that the Content has originated from a device that is“allowed” (registered) to send Content to the low-tech user's device.

In one example, as alluded to above, the Content Conversion Server mayobtain Content from one or more high-tech user accounts (it should benoted that, as the term “obtain” is used herein, it may refer toobtaining information or Content via “push” technology or “pull”technology, as desired or appropriate). In such an example, a high-techuser may register an online account and/or a website (e.g., a socialnetworking website account, a social media account, a media storageaccount, a blog, a website, a web service, etc.) with the ContentConversion Server as a selected Source to be associated with aparticular User Device (i.e., a Viewing User's User Device). The ContentConversion Server may then automatically and/or pro-actively transmitContent (e.g., Content as selected in accordance with one or moreContent Rules, such that only a subset of the available Content from anygiven Source may be selected) from these accounts or websites to theassociated Viewing User's User Device. In such an example, when ahigh-tech user whose account or Source is associated with a particularUser Device of a Viewing User uploads or provides Content to an onlineaccount, the Content Conversion Server may operate to extract thatContent (or a subset of that Content, in accordance with an associatedContent rule) and transmit it to the Viewing User's User Device. In someexamples, the Content may be manually sent from the 3^(rd) party accountor website to the Viewing User's User Device. For instance, a high-techuser may be required to select/confirm that he or she wants Contentforwarded to a particular Viewing User's User Device.

In some embodiments, the Content Conversion Server may also addinformation to Content and/or or reformat Content (e.g., into atemplate) before transmitting, it to Viewing User's User Device. Forinstance, if a high-tech user uploads a digital photo to an accountbeing monitored by the Content Conversion Server, information stored inassociation with either the high-tech user's profile or the ViewingUser's profile may be added, such as the user's name, the user's homeaddress, the user's profile picture, the user's signature, etc. In suchan example, an image for output may be prepared that places the user'sprofile picture and name next to the digital photo that was uploaded tothe monitored account.

Thus, as should be now clear, an elderly person comprising a ViewingUser who has no technology or online Source knowhow can benefit from theservices provided via a Content Conversion Server by being provided withan ability to have Content of multiple Sources monitored on his/herbehalf, Content that is of particular interest selected for his/herviewing, and having that selected Content transmitted to their UserDevice, all with little or no input or activity on behalf of the ViewingUser. In some embodiments in which the Viewing User's User Deviceconsists of a simple computing device which can be controlled remotely(e.g., by a Content Conversion Server or another user), the Viewing Usermay simply need to turn on the simple User Device and view the Contentselected on his/her behalf. One analogy might relate such a User Deviceto a TV that plays one station and is always on; all Grandma has to dois watch what is pushed to her.

Referring now to FIG. 1, illustrated therein is an example system 100consistent with one or more embodiments. The system 100 comprises aContent Conversion Server 105, a plurality of Content Sources 110 and aplurality of User Devices 120.

In some embodiments, one or more of these User Devices 120 and/orContent Sources 110 may be operable to communicate with ContentConversion Server 105 via a network 113. The network 113 may comprise,for example, a mobile network such as a cellular, satellite or pagernetwork, the Internet, a wide area network, another network or acombination of such networks. It should be understood that although notshown in FIG. 1, other networks and devices may be in communication withany of the devices of system 100 and/or that network 113 may comprisetwo or more networks operable to facilitate the routing ofcommunications and Content among the devices of system 100. For example,in one embodiment, both the Internet and a wireless cellular network maybe involved in routing Content and other communications among two ormore components of the system 100.

In some embodiments, additional devices that are not show in FIG. 1 maybe part of a system 100. For example, one or more servers operable toserve as wireless network gateways or routers may be part of system 100.

The Content Conversion Server 105 may comprise one or more computingdevices, working in parallel or series if more than one, operable tofacilitate the routing of Content or other communications to UserDevices 120. A User Device 120 may comprise a computing deviceassociated with a Viewing User (e.g., a personal computer, a cellulartelephone or a smartphone), to which Content selected from one or moreContent Sources 110 is transmitted via the help of Content ConversionServer 105. A Content Source may comprise an online site or account of aspecified user (whether it be an account of a Viewing User or anotheruser associated with the Viewing User) or computing device to whichContent is posted, which Content is monitored and selected on behalf ofa Viewing User, for transmission to a registered User Device of theViewing User.

It should be noted that Content being “transmitted” to a User Device 105is intended to encompass both a “push” embodiment in which ContentConversion Server 105 proactively contacts a User Device 120 in order toprovide updated Content and a “pull” embodiment in which a User Device120 contacts Content Conversion Server 105 (e.g., on a scheduled orother basis) in order to query whether any updated Content is availablefor transmission to the User Device 120.

In some embodiments, a Content Conversion Server 105 may be operable toremotely control a User Device 120 comprising a User Device of a ViewingUser, to which User Device the Content Conversion Server is transmittingContent. For example, the Content Conversion Server 300 may be operableto provide instructions to such a User Device 120 (which instructionsthe User Device may store for subsequent execution and/or execute uponreceipt). Such instructions may comprise, for example, instructionsregarding the display or other output of Content and/or instructionsregarding the storage and/or deletion of Content.

In some embodiments, a first User Device 120 may comprise a User Deviceof a Viewing User to which Content Conversion Server 300 is operable totransmit Content while another User Device 120 comprise a User Device ofanother user associated with the Viewing User (e.g., a User Device of afriend or family member of the Viewing User), which other user may haveagreed to provide Content for the Viewing User (e.g., directly, byproviding the Content to the User Device of the Viewing User directly orvia the Content Conversion Server 300, or indirectly by posting Contenton the one or more selected Sources). The Content Conversion Server 300may be operable to exchange communications, including Content, witheither such type of User Device. Further, in some embodiments the UserDevice of the non-Viewing User may be operable to communicate directly(and, in some embodiments described elsewhere herein, remotely control)the User Device of the Viewing User.

It should be understood that while any of the components 105, 110 and120 may transmit Content or other communications to one another via theContent Conversion Server 105, in some embodiments some or all of theSources 110 of system 100 may communicate with one or more User Devices120 directly or indirectly, via a wired or wireless medium such as theInternet, LAN, WAN or Ethernet, Token Ring, or via any appropriatecommunications means or combination of communications means. Forexample, in one embodiment communication among any and all of thedevices of system 100 may occur over the Internet through a Web sitemaintained by computer on a remote server or over an on-line datanetwork including commercial on-line service providers, bulletin boardsystems and the like. In some embodiments, communication among any ofthe components of system 100 may occur over radio signals, cellularnetworks, cable network, satellite links and the like.

The system 100 may be operable to facilitate communication using knowncommunication protocols. Possible communication protocols that may beuseful in the system 100 include, but are not limited to: Ethernet (orIEEE 802.3), ATP, BLUETOOTH, SMPP Protocol (e.g., SMPP Protocol Version3.4), HTTP, HTTPS, and Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol(TCP/IP). Communications may be encrypted to ensure privacy and preventfraud in any of a variety of ways well known in the art, some of whichare described herein.

It should be understood that any or all of the devices of system 100 mayin some embodiments comprise one or more of (i) an input device; (ii) anoutput device; (iii) an input/output device; or (iv) a combinationthereof.

An input device, as the term is used herein, may be any device, elementor component (or combination thereof) that is capable of receiving aninput (e.g., from a user or another device). An input device maycommunicate with or be part of another device. Some examples of inputdevices include: a bar-code scanner, a magnetic stripe reader, acomputer keyboard or keypad, a button (e.g., mechanical,electromechanical or “soft”, as in a portion of a touch-screen), ahandle, a keypad, a touch-screen, a microphone, an infrared sensor, avoice recognition module, a coin or bill acceptor, a sonic ranger, acomputer port, a video camera, a motion detector, a digital camera, anetwork card, a universal serial bus (USB) port, a GPS receiver, a radiofrequency identification (RFID) receiver, an RF receiver, a thermometer,a pressure sensor, an infrared port, and a weight scale.

An output device may comprise any device, component or element (or acombination thereof) operable to output information from any of thedevices described herein. Examples of an output device include, but arenot limited to, a display (e.g., in the form of a touch screen), anaudio speaker, an infra-red transmitter, a radio transmitter, anelectric motor, a dispenser, an infra-red port, a Braille computermonitor, and a coin or bill dispenser.

An input/output device may comprise components capable of facilitatingboth input and output functions. In one example, a touch-sensitivedisplay screen comprises an input/output device (e.g., the deviceoutputs graphics and receives selections from an authorized person).

Referring now to FIG. 2, illustrated therein is a set 200 of screens ordisplay interfaces intended to illustrate a use of system 100 inaccordance with some embodiments described herein. The set 200illustrates how a Content Conversion Server 105 may, in accordance withsome embodiments, select Content from one or more Sources (screen 205and screen 210 being screens showing Content available on two (2)distinct Sources for purposes of the present illustration) and transmitthe selected Content (with some formatting and addition of descriptioninformation) for display on a registered User Device (screen 215 being ascreen of a User Device for purposes of the present illustration). Itshould be presumed that the two screens 205 and 210 are screens showingContent available on two (2) Sources selected as being ones the Contentof which is to be monitored for selection for transmission to theassociated User Device of screen 215. The selection of the Sources, asis described in more detail elsewhere herein, may be done by the ViewingUser of the registered User Device and/or another user (e.g., a friendor family member of the Viewing User who is helping the Viewing Userobtain access to the Content of the selected Sources). It should furtherbe noted, as is also described in more detail elsewhere herein, that auser associated with each selected Source (e.g., the accountholder/manager of each account that comprises a selected Source) mayfirst need to provide permission/authorization to have Content of thatSource monitored, selected and transmitted to the registered User Devicebefore such activities are initiated.

The first screen 205 is a screen displaying Content available on a firstSource which comprises an account on a social networking site. In theexample of screen 205, the Content is shown as postings on a “wall”, webpage or account of a first user, “user A.” As can be seen, and as istypical with many social networking sites, users other than the user whois the account holder corresponding to the web page (i.e., other usersbeing users who user A has authorized to post Content to his/her wall)may post Content to user A's wall. Of course, user A may also postcontent to the screen 205. In the example screen 205, three (3) distinctpostings of Content are illustrated. A first posting 205A, “posting 1from user C” comprises a short textual message (“Just returning from ourfamily vaca”) and four (4) associated digital photos (e.g., photos fromthe referred-to vacation) that user C has uploaded to the wall as partof his/her posting. A second posting 205B, “posting 1 from user B” issimply a textual message (“Go Yankees! Finally . . . ”) that isunaccompanied by any photos. Finally, a third posting 205C “posting 2from user B” is a textual message (“Sally won 1^(st) place at thescience fair!”) accompanied by a single photo (e.g., a photo depictingSally winning a prize at the science fair). It should be noted that thescreen 205 is a simplified version of all the information that mayactually be available on a wall or account page of a social networkingsite. For example, in some embodiments additional information may beincluded on such a screen (e.g., each posting may be followed by one ormore comments from various users, many more postings may be included,advertisements may be depicted on the page, etc.). It should further benoted that in the example embodiment of screen 205, each posting on thescreen 205 is accompanied (to the left of the posting) by a photo of theuser who has provided the posting. Each posting 205A-205C may beconsidered distinct available Content that Content Conversion Server 105may consider (e.g., in accordance with an associated Content rule) fortransmission to an appropriate registered User Device.

Turning now to screen 210, illustrated therein is Content available on asecond Source comprising an online digital photography web site,specifically on an account of user C (who is the same user C who postedposting 1 to screen 205). The available Content comprises various photoalbums uploaded to the account. Specifically, a first album entitled“April Vacation” is depicted in area 210A and includes eight (8) photosand a second album entitled “Meet Our New Puppy” is depicted in area210B and includes five (5) photos.

Turning now to screen 215, depicted therein is a display of Contentobtained from Source 205 and Source 210 and transmitted for display onthe corresponding User Device. The User Device in the present example isviewed by “Grandma” and may comprise a simplified or dedicated device oroutput mechanism, such as a cable channel that is personalized to showonly the Content transmitted by Content Conversion Server 105 or adigital picture frame programmed to display the Content transmitted byContent Conversion Server 105. As illustrated by the informationdisplayed on screen 215, and in accordance with some embodiments, notall of the Content available on the two monitored Sources depicted inscreen 205 and screen 210 has been transmitted for display to theassociated User Device. For example, a Content rule associated with theUser Device may specify that only Content accompanied by photos is to betransmitted. In another example, a Content rule may specify that onlyContent posted by specified users (e.g., user A and user C for purposesof the present example) is to be transmitted to the User Device. Ofcourse, more than one Content rule may be specified and many differentexample types of Content rules are contemplated and described herein.Thus, screen 215 shows Content based on posting 205A of screen 205,posting 205C of screen 205 and the first album depicted in area 210A ofscreen 210. The Content displayed in screen 215 does not include,however, information based on posting 205B of screen 205 or the secondalbum depicted in area 210B of screen 210. The lack of inclusion of thelatter Content may be due, for example, to some Content not meeting aContent selection rule being used to select the Content for transmissionto the associated User Device and/or a scheduling issue (e.g., one ormore of the Content may be stored for later transmission to User Device,as is described in more detail elsewhere herein), or another factor.

As illustrated in screen 215, and as described in more detail elsewhereherein, in some embodiments information in addition to that deriveddirectly from Content available on one or more Sources may betransmitted to a User Device along with the Content. For example, in thepresent example a brief textual message that describes the eight (8)uploaded photos was generated by the Content Conversion Server 300 inarea 215A of the screen to add some context to the photos beingdepicted. It should be noted that the portion “John and the kids” aswell as “Florida” may be derived or determined by the Content ConversionServer 300 directly or indirectly, based on information available on theSource from which Content is being selected (e.g., user C may beidentified as “John” in the Source depicted in either screen 205 orscreen 210) and/or based on information stored in association with theUser Device. Embodiments in which Content Conversion Server 300 storesinformation which may be used in generating Content to include withContent selected from one or more Sources are described in more detailherein with respect to FIG. 5C. Further, content from multiple sourcesmay be amalgamated into a single event or Content instance in someembodiments. For example, the eight (8) photos included under thedescription “John and the kids . . . ” may include the four (4) photosincluded in posting 205A plus four (4) photos from the album depicted inarea 210A of screen 210 (e.g., the eight (8) photos depicted in thealbum depicted in the album of area 210A may include the four (4) photosof posting 205A plus four (4) additional photos and the ContentConversion Server 105 may be programmed to remove duplicates whenmerging Content from two or more Sources).

It should be noted that the Content depicted in screen 215 is but onepossible format. In some embodiments, the photos comprising the Contentmay be large enough to fill the entire screen and may be output as aslideshow (as but one example of a different display format). In someembodiments, the Viewing User may have different options available forviewing the Content of screen 215 (e.g., there may be a button on theUser Device or a touch screen of the User Device that allows the ViewingUser to enlarge, switch, or otherwise adjust the format in which Contentis being viewed on the User Device). FIG. 2 is provided herein toillustrate one use of the embodiments described herein in anillustrative manner that highlights some benefits of the presentinvention(s), without creating any limitations on the interpretation ofembodiments described herein. For example, one benefit of theembodiments described herein is to provide a low-tech user with aservice (Content Conversion Server 105) that pro-actively monitors(whether by an appropriately programmed computing device or with the aidof a human employee) Content made available on one or more selectedSources, selects some of the Content in accordance with a Contentselection rule, and transmits the selected Content to a registered UserDevice for enjoyment of the Viewing User, thus allowing the Viewing Userto keep track of online Content being shared by family and friendswithout having to actively familiarize themselves with the differentContent Sources or to actively monitor the Content Sources.

Referring now to FIG. 3, illustrated therein is a block diagram of aContent Conversion Server 300 (which may be one embodiment of ContentConversion Server 105 of FIG. 1). The Content Conversion Server 300 maybe implemented as a system controller, a dedicated hardware circuit, anappropriately programmed general-purpose computer, or any otherequivalent electronic, mechanical or electro-mechanical device. TheContent Conversion Server 300 may comprise, for example, one or moreserver computers operable to communicate with (a) one or more UserDevices 120 (FIG. 1); (b) one or more Content Sources 110 (of FIG. 1)and/or (c) one or more additional devices (e.g., gateway server, routerdevices or other devices for facilitating the routing or management ofContent or other communications among devices over a wireless or othernetwork). The Content Conversion Server 300 may be operable tofacilitate some functions or procedures described herein, such asregistering one or more User Devices, monitoring Content on one or moreSources associated with a registered User Device, selecting Content fromone or more such associated Sources, modifying such selected Contentand/or transmitting such selected and/or modified Content to theregistered User Device of a Viewing User on whose behalf such Sourcesare being monitored. The Content Conversion Server 300, as well as otherdevices described herein (such as a User Device), as well as componentsthereof, may be implemented in terms of hardware, software or acombination of hardware and software.

The Content Conversion Server 300 comprises a processor 305, such as oneor more INTEL PENTIUM processors. The processor 305 is in communicationwith a communication port 345. Communication port 345 comprises acomponent (which can be embodied as hardware, software and/or firmware)for communicating, directly or indirectly, with one or more otherdevices, such as one or more User Devices and/or one or more ContentSources. For example, a communication port 345 provides the ContentConversion Server 300 the capability of receiving Content or othercommunications from User Devices and/or Content Sources and routing suchContent or other communications to other devices. The communication port345 may be operable to work in various language and protocolenvironments, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art(e.g., http, TCP/IP, SMPP). The communication port 345 may comprise, forexample, an Ethernet port, a PTSN port, a wireless modem, a wirelessnetwork card, a SIM card, a USB port or a serial port. It should beunderstood that Content Conversion Server 300 may comprise more than onecommunication port 345.

The processor 305 is further in communication with a memory 310. Thememory 310 may comprise an appropriate combination of magnetic, opticaland/or semiconductor memory, and may include, for example, Random AccessMemory (RAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), a compact disc and/or a hard disk.The processor 305 and the memory 310 may each be, for example: (i)located entirely within a single computer or other device; or (ii)connected to each other by a remote communication medium, such as aserial port cable, telephone line or radio frequency transceiver. In oneembodiment, the Content Conversion Server 300 may comprise one or moredevices that are connected to a remote server computer for maintainingdatabases.

Memory 310 stores one or more software module(s) 315, which comprise(s)one or more software module(s) for directing the processor 305 toperform certain functions. The processor 305 performs instructions ofthe one or more software module(s) 315, and thereby operates inaccordance with at least some of the methods described in detail herein.The software module(s) 315 may be stored in a compressed, uncompiledand/or encrypted format. The software module(s) 315 may include programelements that may be necessary, such as an operating system, a databasemanagement system and “device drivers” for allowing the processor 305 tointerface with computer peripheral devices. Appropriate program elementsare known to those skilled in the art, and need not be described indetail herein.

Some example software module(s) that may be stored in memory 310include, without limitation: (i) a general Program 315A, which mayinclude instructions for operating the Content Conversion Server 300;(ii) a Registration Application 315AB, which may include instructionsfor a process to register a User Device with Content Conversion Server300; (iii) a Content Application 315C, which may include instructionsfor selecting, obtaining and/or storing Content from one or moreSources; (iv) a Scheduling Application 315D, which may includeinstructions for scheduling the selection, obtainment and/ortransmission of Content to a registered User Device; (v) a TransmissionApplication 315E, which may include instructions for transmittingContent to a User Device and/or requests, reminders or othercommunications to a User Device and/or a user (e.g., a Content Manageror other user associated with a Viewing User of a Viewing Device); and(vi) a Billing Application 315F, which includes instructions for billingone or more users (e.g., a Viewing User, a user who provides Content fortransmission to a User Device) for the services provided by ContentConversion Server 300. Each of these example software modules isdescribed in more detail below, via a description of flow diagramsrelevant to functions which may be performed by the Content ConversionServer 300.

Any of the software module(s) 315 may be part of a single program orintegrated into various programs for controlling processor 305. Further,any of the software module(s) 315 may be stored in a compressed,uncompiled and/or encrypted format and include instructions which, whenperformed by the processor 305, cause the processor 305 to operate inaccordance with at least some of the methods described herein. Ofcourse, additional or different software module(s) 301 may be includedand it should be understood that the example software module(s) 315 arenot necessary in any embodiments.

According to an embodiment, the instructions of any or all of thesoftware module(s) 315 may be read into a main memory from anothercomputer-readable medium, such from a ROM to RAM. Execution of sequencesof the instructions in the software module(s) 315 causes processor 305to perform the process steps described herein. In alternate embodiments,hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of, or in combination with,software instructions for implementation of the processes of the presentinvention. Thus, embodiments of the present invention are not limited toany specific combination of hardware and software.

The memory 310 further stores a User Device Database 320, which storesinformation about User Devices and/or Users registered with the ContentConversion Server 300. Such information may include, for example,selected Sources to be monitored for Content, selected Content rules tobe used in selecting Content from one or more Sources, contactinformation for a User and/or User Device and/or other information.Various example embodiments of a User Device Database 320 areillustrated in FIGS. 5A-5C. The memory 310 further stores a ContentDatabase 325, which stores information about Content selected orotherwise obtained for transmission to a registered User Device. Anexample embodiment of a Content Database 325 is illustrated in FIG. 6herein. The memory 310 further stores a Content Rules Database 330,which stores information about available rules for selecting Contentfrom one or more Sources. A user (e.g., a Viewing User or another UserAssociated with the Viewing User who will be viewing selected contentvia the corresponding User Device) who is registering a User Device withContent Conversion Server 300 may select one or more Content Rules toassociated with the User Device. An example embodiment of a ContentRules Database 330 is illustrated in FIG. 7.

Although the databases 320 through 330 are described as being stored ina memory of Content Conversion Server 300, in other embodiments some orall of these databases may be partially or wholly stored, in lieu of orin addition to being stored in a memory of User Device 120 and/or in amemory of one or more other devices. Such one or more other devices maycomprise, for example, another computing device with which ContentConversion Server 300 is operable to communicate. Further, some or allof the data described as being stored in the memory 310 may be partiallyor wholly stored (in addition to or in lieu of being stored in thememory 310) in a memory of one or more other devices. Such one or moreother devices may comprise, for example, a remote storage service server(e.g., an online back-up storage server, as would be understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art).

It should further be noted that although Content selected by the ContentConversion Server 300 is described herein as in some embodiments beingstored in memory 310, in other embodiments Content may be stored incloud space owned, rented, leased or maintained by the service.Additionally, such selected Content may also be accessed remotely by auser (e.g., a Viewing User or another user helping a Viewing User obtainContent), and Content may be protected such that the user may onlyaccess the Content by inputting credentials granting access to theContent. For example, a Content Manager associated with a particularUser Device may access such Content to modify it, approve it and/orforward it to a User Device.

To illustrate some example functionality of Content Server 300, inaccordance with some embodiments, once a User Device of a Viewing Useron whose behalf Content is to be transmitted to the User Device isregistered, Contributing Users associated with the User Device/ViewingUser may send Content for the Viewing User's User Device to the ContentConversion Server (e.g., by use of their own User Device). For example,a first Contributing User may select a picture stored on that user'sUser Device or another Source and use communications network 113 totransmit the picture to Content Conversion Server 300. Similarly, asecond Contributing User may select a video stored on that user's UserDevice and use communications network 113 to transmit the video toContent conversion Server 300. In another example, a third ContributingUser may have approved a text based story posted on a Source by theContributing User to be transmitted to the Viewing User's User Device,and subsequently it may be transmitted from the Source to the ContentConversion Server 300 via communications network 113. Alternately,Content Conversion Server may be programmed to monitor and/or reviewContent made available on a first Source associated with the firstContributing Use, a second Source associated with the secondContributing User and a third Source associated with the thirdContributing User and identify and select any of the available Contentthat qualifies for transmission to the User Device of the associatedViewing User (e.g., based on a selected and/or default Content rulesassociated with the User Device of the Viewing User). In suchembodiments, the Content Conversion Server 300 may be programmed todownload or copy any such qualifying Content to its memory storage.

When media is received by Content Conversion Server 300 (whether it isreceived due to being pushed to the Content Conversion Server from aContributing User or another Source, or pulled therefrom), it may bestored in Content Database 325. Content Conversion Server 300 may alsostore additional information in association with the Content, such as anindication of a Source of the Content, one or more accounts the Contentis associated with (e.g., the User Device that sent the Content, theContributing User account associated with that User Device, the ViewingUser's User Device that the Contributing User is associated with, theother Contributing Users associated with the Viewing User's User Device,Content characteristics such as length, time, file format, tags, etc.).An example embodiment of a Content database 325 is described withrespect to FIG. 7 herein.

Continuing the example functions of Content Conversion Server 300, onceContent has been obtained by the Content Conversion Server 300 fortransmission to a Viewing User's User Device, it may automatically besent to that device. For example, such Content may be stored in ContentDatabase 325 and Content Conversion Server 300 may simply determinewhich User Device of a Viewing User is associated with the Content, aswell as any account settings, rules or instructions that may beassociated with the Viewing User's User Device which indicate to theContent Conversion Server 300 how and/or when to transmit and/or outputthe Content. Such settings, rules or instructions may be selected,indicated or controlled by one or more of (i) the associated ViewingUser; (ii) an associated Contributing User; (iii) an associated ContentManager; and (iv) Content Conversion Server 300 (or an employee oroperator thereof). It should be understood that whenever a step orfunction is described herein as being performed by a device (e.g.,Content Conversion Server 300, it may alternately be performed by anoperator of that device).

Referring now to FIG. 4, illustrated therein is a block diagram of anexample embodiment 400 of a User Device (e.g., a User Device 120 ofsystem 100). As described herein, in some embodiments a User Device maybe utilized by a Viewing User to view Content selected for the ViewingUser from one or more Sources and in accordance with a Content Rule.Thus, in such embodiments a User Device 400 may be operable to (i)receive Content from Content Conversion Server 105 and/or directly fromone or more Sources; and (ii) output (e.g., display) such Content to aViewing User. Some other uses for a User Device as the term is usedherein and as embodied in embodiment 400 may be to allow another user(e.g., a user who is assisting a Viewing User to obtain Content from oneor more Sources) to (i) register a User Device (e.g., the User Device ofthe Viewing User, that is to receive selected Content, or a User Deviceof the other user) with a Content Conversion Server 105; (ii) exchangecommunications from the Content Conversion Server 105 (e.g., remindersto review, approve, obtain, modify and/or provide Content, select one ormore Content rules, select one or more Sources, etc.); (iii) exchangecommunications with another User Device (e.g., a User Device of aViewing User); and/or (iv) exchange communications with or view Contentavailable on one or more Sources. In some embodiments, User Device 400may be utilized by a Content Manager to facilitate the transmission ofContent to a User Device of a Viewing User.

Embodiment 400 is referred to herein as User Device 400. It should benoted that some or all of the functionality described herein as beingperformed by Content Conversion Server 105 may in some embodiments beperformed by a User Device 400 (e.g., in some embodiments, User Devicemay stored thereon one or more of the software module(s) 315 and ordatabases 320-330 (and/or some or all of the data described as beingstored thereon), which may allow the User Device to perform suchfunctions. For example, in some embodiments an entity may provide asoftware application (an “app”) available for download or other purchasefor a User Device which would allow a Viewing User of the User Device torealize some of the benefits described herein (e.g., to have Content ofone or more Sources monitored and selected in accordance with one ormore Content rules, and transmitted to the User Device for viewing onthe User Device).

The User Device 400 may comprise, for example, a computing deviceoperable to receive Content via a network (e.g., via a connection to theInternet, a cable connection or otherwise) and output such Content. Insome embodiments the User Device 400 may comprise a mobile or portablecomputing device such as a smartphone (e.g., the IPHONE manufactured byAPPLE, the BLACKBERRY manufactured by RESEARCH IN MOTION, the PREmanufactured by PALM or the DROID manufactured by MOTOROLA), a PersonalDigital Assistant (PDA), cellular telephone, laptop or other portablecomputing device. Examples of such devices include computers (such as adesktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a server etc.),mobile phones (such as a basic phone, a smart-phone, a Personal DigitalAssistant (PDA), etc.), portable game or media players, (such as amusic/media player e.g., an Apple™ iPod™ or iPad™, a Panasonic DVD™-LS86and/or a gaming device e.g., a Sony™ PSP™), or the like.

In some embodiments, the User Device 400 may comprise a simplifiedcomputing device with limited functionality but which can receiveContent transmitted over a network and output that Content. Examples ofsuch devices include digital picture frames (such as the KODAK EASYSHARE wireless picture frames or ones manufactured by CEIVA), a CHUMBYdevice. In other embodiments, the User Device 400 may comprise a morerobust computing device, such as a desktop computer, a laptop computer,a tablet computer, a server etc.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, User Device 400 comprises a processor 405,such as one or more INTEL PENTIUM processors. The processor 405 is incommunication with a communication port 430. Communication port 430comprises a component (which can be embodied as hardware, softwareand/or firmware) for communicating, directly or indirectly, with one ormore other devices, such as one or more other User Devices, ContentConversion Server 105 and/or one or more Content Sources. For example, acommunication port 430 provides the User Device 400 the capability ofreceiving Content or other communications from Content Conversion Server105, another User Device and/or one or more Content Sources. Thecommunication port 430 may be operable to work in various language andprotocol environments, as would be understood by one of ordinary skillin the art (e.g., http, TCP/IP, SMPP). The communication port 430 maycomprise, for example, an Ethernet port, a PTSN port, a wireless modem,a wireless network card, a SIM card, a USB port or a serial port. Itshould be understood that User Device 400 may comprise more than onecommunication port 430.

The processor 405 is further in communication with a memory 410. Thememory 410 may comprise an appropriate combination of magnetic, opticaland/or semiconductor memory, and may include, for example, Random AccessMemory (RAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), a compact disc and/or a hard disk.The processor 405 and the memory 410 may each be, for example: (i)located entirely within a single computer or other device; or (ii)connected to each other by a remote communication medium, such as aserial port cable, telephone line or radio frequency transceiver. In oneembodiment, the User Device 400 may comprise one or more devices thatare connected to a remote server computer for maintaining databases.

Memory 410 stores one or more software module(s) 415, which comprise(s)one or more software module(s) for directing the processor 405 toperform certain functions. The processor 405 performs instructions ofthe one or more software module(s) 415, and thereby operates inaccordance with at least some of the methods described in detail herein.The software module(s) 415 may be stored in a compressed, uncompiledand/or encrypted format. The software module(s) 415 may include programelements that may be necessary, such as an operating system, a databasemanagement system and “device drivers” for allowing the processor 305 tointerface with computer peripheral devices. Appropriate program elementsare known to those skilled in the art, and need not be described indetail herein. Some example software module(s) that may be stored inmemory 410 include, without limitation: (i) a general Program 415A forfacilitating the operation of User Device 400; (ii) a Contentapplication 415B for instructing the User Device to receive (e.g.,actively retrieve or pull Content or passively received push Content)from a Content Conversion Server 105, one or more Content Sources and/oranother User Device), which may in some embodiments include a schedulingcomponent for receiving Content; and (iii) a Display application 415Cwhich instructs the User Device as to how to Display (or otherwiseoutput, if the Content is an audio file, for example) Content.

With respect to Content application 415B, in one example embodiment sucha software module may instruct processor 405 to retrieve digital filesfrom an external storage device, such as a CD-ROM, an external drive,networked storage space (e.g., files on a server, in the cloud, storedon a third party computer/server) a flash drive and/or another ContentSource (which in some embodiments may comprise another User Device).

As described herein, in some embodiments a software application may bemade available for download or storage on a User Device 400, whichsoftware application instructs the User Device to perform some of thefunctions described with respect to Content Conversion Server 300 (e.g.,monitor available Content on one or more Selected Sources and selectContent from such Sources for display on the User Device). In suchembodiments, memory 410 may store such a software application (e.g.,after it is downloaded over a wired or wireless Internet or cellularconnection to the User Device).

Memory 410 may further store one or more databases or data in one ormore other formats. In the example of FIG. 4, memory 410 stores (i) aContent database 420 which includes one or more files comprising Contentfor display on the User Device 400 and (ii) a Display Rules database 425which stores one or more rules in accordance with which Content is to bedisplayed on the User Device 400. For example, in some embodiments auser (e.g., a Viewing User or another user assisting the Viewing User)may view and select one or more of the display rules stored in DisplayRules database 425 (e.g., directly via one or more input devices of UserDevice 400 (not shown) or remotely over a network).

Although the databases 320 and 325 are described as being stored in amemory of User Device 400, in other embodiments some or all of thesedatabases may be partially or wholly stored, in lieu of or in additionto being stored in a memory of Content Conversion Server 105 and/or in amemory of one or more other devices. Such one or more other devices maycomprise, for example, another computing device with which User Device400 is operable to communicate. Further, some or all of the datadescribed as being stored in the memory 410 may be partially or whollystored (in addition to or in lieu of being stored in the memory 410) ina memory of one or more other devices. Such one or more other devicesmay comprise, for example, a remote storage service server (e.g., anonline back-up storage server, as would be understood by one of ordinaryskill in the art).

Processor 405 is further operable to communicate with a display device400. A display device 440 may comprise, for example, a screen via whichContent (e.g., digital photos) may be displayed to a Viewing User of theUser Device 400. For example, the display device 440 may comprise, forexample, a touchscreen, an LCD screen, a Plasma display and/or CRTdisplay. Of course, other types of output devices may comprise UserDevice 400 (e.g., User Device 400 may include a speaker, a vibrationdevice, or any other sensory output device (e.g., visual, auditory,tactile, olfactory, gustatory).

In accordance with some embodiments, a User Device 400 may be operableto receive input and/or capture media. Thus, the User Device 400 mayinclude one or more input and/or output/input devices (not shown), whichmay include one or more of the following: a touch screen, a keypad, atrackball, a mouse, a keyboard, a microphone, a camera, and/or a sensorcapable of collecting any of a variety of environmental changes (e.g.,an accelerometer, a thermometer, a pressure sensor, a light sensor, amotion detector, etc.).

Referring now to FIGS. 5A-7, each of these figures illustrates arespective example structure and sample contents of a database that maybe useful in some embodiments. The specific data and fields illustratedin FIGS. 5A-7, respectively, represents only some embodiments of theinformation that may be stored in such databases. The data and fields ofsuch databases can be readily modified, for example, to include more orfewer data fields. A single database that is a combination of multipledatabases, or a configuration that utilizes multiple databases for asingle database illustrated herein may also be employed. Note that inthe databases of FIGS. 5A-7, a different reference numeral is employedto identify each field. However, in at least one embodiment, fields thatare similarly named (e.g., a User Device identifier) may store similaror the same data in a similar or in the same data format.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the schematicillustration and accompanying descriptions of data contained in thesample database presented herein is an exemplary arrangement for storedrepresentations of information. Any number of other arrangements may beemployed besides those suggested by the table shown. For example, theembodiments described herein could be practiced effectively using morefunctionally equivalent databases. Similarly, the illustrated entries ofthe database represent exemplary information only; those skilled in theart will understand that the number and content of the entries can bedifferent from those illustrated herein. Further, despite the depictionof the database as a table, an object-based model could be used to storeand manipulate the data types of one or more embodiments and likewise,object methods or behaviors can be used to implement the processes ofone or more embodiments.

FIG. 5A is a tabular representation 500A of an example embodiment of arecord of a user device database 320 (e.g., as it may be stored in amemory 310 of a Content Conversion Server 300 and/or in a memory ofanother device). Tabular representation 500A is referred to herein asrecord 500A.

In accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 5A (as well as the embodimentsof FIG. 5B and FIG. 5C, respectively), each record of a user devicedatabase 320 may define an account of a registered User. Deviceassociated with a Viewing User for whose benefit Content is to betransmitted to the User Device. Information stored in a user devicedatabase 320 may include means of contacting the User Device in order totransmit Content to the User Device and other information useful indetermining content for the subject User Device. Since a record of theuser device database 320 defines a User Device of a Viewing User, theaccount may also be referred to as an account of a Viewing User in someembodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand that a user devicedatabase 320 may include any number of records.

The record 500A defines the following example fields (1) a user deviceidentifier 502A which uniquely identifies a particular User Deviceregistered with the Content Conversion Server 300; (ii) a Viewing UserIdentifier 504A which identifies a Viewing User associated with the UserDevice (this may or may not comprise contact information (such as ane-mail or postal address or a telephone number, for enabling the ViewingUser to be contacted via a mechanism other than the User Device); (iii)Contact Information 506A for contacting a user regarding the User Device(this may be contact information for the Viewing User (in which casethis field may be redundant with field 504A in some embodiments) oranother user (e.g., a friend or family member of the Viewing User who ishelping the Viewing User obtain access to Content from selected Sourcebut who is not the Viewing User); (iv) a minimum content indication 508Awhich indicates a minimum content threshold (e.g., minimum amount and/orfrequency of content to be transmitted to the User Device within eachpredetermined unit of time) associated with the User Device of therecord; (v) a schedule 510A which indicates some scheduling rule orguideline for use in transmitting Content to the User Device; (vi) aSelected Source(s) 512A which indicates an account which may storedavailable Content (including login credentials for accessing suchContent); (vii) a stats (statistics) field 514 which stores some data orstatistics associated with a given Source; (viii) a Content rule(s) 516which indicates one or more Content rules for selecting Content from theassociated Source; (ix) a Status 518A which indicates a current statusof an associated Source; and (x) Source identifier 520A which stores anidentifier or index assigned to a given source, which may enableadditional information for that source to be stored and accessed in adifferent table, record or database.

With respect to field 502A, the user device identifier, it should benoted that this user device identifier may comprise (i) a unique accountidentifier identifying the account of the registered user device; (ii)contact information for contacting the user device (e.g., an e-mailaddress, cellular telephone number, URL, static IP address, etc.);and/or a unique identifier otherwise associated with the user device.While only a single field 502A is illustrated as a mechanism for storingsuch information, this is done for purposes of brevity and it should beunderstood that in some embodiments such information may be stored indistinct fields and take distinct forms/formats. For example, in oneembodiment a first field may be preferred for storing a unique accountidentifier associated with a registered user device but which does notcomprise contact information for enabling contact with the user devicewhile a second field may be preferred for storing distinct contactinformation (e.g., an e-mail address, cellular telephone number, staticIP address, URL, etc.).

With respect to minimum content field 508A, Applicants have recognizedthat at times a device such as a digital picture frame may become unusedor underappreciated if it is not provided with fresh content on aregular or consistent basis. Thus, in an effort to alleviate thisproblem, provided herein is a mechanism for setting a minimum contentthreshold or indicator for a User Device. The minimum content thresholdmay comprise, for example, a minimum amount of new Content to beprovided to a User Device per predetermined unit of time, a minimumamount of Content to be stored and/or displayed one User Device perpredetermined unit of time and/or a minimum number of times new Contentis to be transmitted to a User Device per predetermined unit of time. Insome embodiments a user may be presented with a menu of availableminimum content threshold from which to make a selection while in otherembodiments a user may be provided with an opportunity to input acustomized minimum content threshold.

A minimum content indication may be selected by a user who isregistering a User Device (e.g., a Viewing User or another user who isaiding a Viewing User) at the time of registration or another time. Insome embodiments, one or more events may be triggered if a minimumcontent threshold is not met or it appears that the minimum contentthreshold may not be met based on a current status of Content. Forexample, a user associated with the User Device (e.g., a Content Manageror a user associated with a selected Source of the User Device) may becontacted and reminder or prompted to provide Content for the UserDevice. This may be the case in embodiments in which the reason for theminimum Content threshold not being met or being in danger of not beingmet is due to insufficient Content having been available on the one ormore selected Sources during the relevant time frame. If, on the otherhand, the reason for the minimum Content threshold not being met orbeing in danger of not being met is due to the Content Conversion Server300 or another entity responsible for monitoring available Contentavailable on the one or more selected Sources and selecting Content fortransmission to the User Device failing to sufficiently perform suchmonitoring and selecting, then the event triggered may be a review ofthe Content available on such one or more Sources (in the case of theContent Conversion Server being responsible for such selection) or areminder being sent to the responsible other entity to perform suchreview and selection.

Determining whether a minimum content threshold of a User Device hasbeen met or is likely to be met may comprise referring to a data set ofContent transmitted to the User Device. For example, in some embodimentsa log of transmissions to a User Device may be stored, which log mayindicate the time and Content of each transmission. For example, such alog may store the date and time of a transmission and an indication ofthe Content transmitted (e.g., the number of pictures or wordstransmitted, the size of the file transmitted, etc.)). Thus, the ContentConversion Server 300 may consult such a log and compare the data storedtherein to the relevant minimum content threshold in order to determinewhether the minimum content threshold has been met (or is likely to bemet) for a particular time frame. For example, if the minimum contentthreshold is five (5) photos per week to be transmitted to the UserDevice and the log indicates that only one (1) photo has beentransmitted thus far this week and this is the last day of the week, itmay be determined that the minimum content threshold is not likely to bemet. In some embodiments, Content Conversion Server 300 may beprogrammed to perform such a determination on a periodic, random orother basis for each registered User Device.

Referring now to schedule field 510A, in accordance with someembodiments a schedule of Content may be associated with a User Device.For example, a schedule in accordance with which to transmit new Contentto a User Device may be stored in association with the User Device. Sucha schedule may be selected or indicated by a user associated with theUser Device (e.g., a Viewing User or another user aiding the ViewingUser, such as a Content Manager) or may be created by the ContentConversion Server 300 (e.g., based on a minimum Content thresholdassociated with the User Device). The schedule may be a schedule inaccordance with which Content is transmitted to the User Device. Thus,for example, once Content is selected from available Content on one ormore selected Sources in accordance with a Content rule, the Content maynot necessarily be immediately transmitted to the User Device. Rather,the selected Content may be stored (e.g., temporarily stored) in amemory of the Content Conversion Server 300 and transmitted to the UserDevice in accordance with the schedule. Thus, the selected Content maybe “doled out” over a plurality of transmissions even if it was obtainedprior to a first transmission of the plurality of transmissions. Thismay be beneficial in that the User Device is more likely to be“freshened up” with new Content on a regular basis even if no newContent becomes available on the selected Sources over some period oftime. In some embodiments, the schedule 510A may refer to a schedule inaccordance with which (i) selected Sources are reviewing for new Contentthat may qualify for selection based on a Content rule; and/or (ii)reminders are sent to one or more users associated with a User Device(e.g., friends or family members of the Viewing User) to provide Content(e.g., directly to the Content Conversion Server to indirectly byposting such Content to one or more of the selected Sources).

In some embodiments in which multiple users have agreed to provideContent for a User Device of a Viewing User (e.g., directly to the UserDevice of the Viewing User, directly to the Content Conversion Serverfor subsequent transmission to the User Device of the Viewing Userand/or indirectly by posting the Content on a selected Source), theContent Conversion Server 300 may help ensure that sufficient newContent is obtained for the User Device of the Viewing User by creatinga schedule based on which the multiple users are to provided Content forthe User Device of the Viewing User. For example, the Content ConversionServer 300 may use a scheduling algorithm to schedule X number ofContent events to by created by Y users over Z days. The algorithm mayfurther designate which users are to provide Content at what time.Reminders for providing Content may then be distributed the appropriateusers in a time appropriate to the schedule. Reminders as the term isused herein may be sent out via any of a variety of communicationmethods, such as SMS, email, MMS, website post, phone call, etc. In amore specific and illustrative example, the Content Conversion Server300 may create a schedule that requires a new Content contribution froma different associated friend or family member each day, on a rotatingbasis. Thus, when it is a particular friend or family member's day toprovide Content for the Viewing User's Viewing Device, that friend orfamily member may receive an automatic prompt or reminder from theContent Conversion Server 300, such as a text message, email or phonecall. This is one example mechanism for ensuring that a Viewing User(e.g., grandma) gets some new Content each day.

Selected source(s) 512A comprises information on one or more Sources oronline accounts that are to be monitored and/or reviewed for Content, todetermine whether any of the available Content thereon qualifies (e.g.,in accordance with a selected or default Content rule) for transmissionto the associated User Device. In some embodiments, each Source may beassociated with a user (e.g., a friend or family member of theassociated Viewing User) who is an account holder of the Source accountand who has agreed that Content made available on the Source may beselected for transmission to the User Device of the Viewing User. Such auser who is an account holder of a Source may be referred to as a“contributing user” herein. In some embodiments, a contributing user mayagree to provide Content directly to the User Device of the Viewing Userand/or to the Content Conversion Server 300 for subsequent transmissionto the User Device of the. Viewing User (e.g., once the Content has beenapproved, formatted, reviewed, etc. by Content Conversion Server 300 ora Content Manager). In such embodiments, the contributing user may beconsidered a Source of Content (i.e., a Source is not necessarily anonline account or web site) and the selected source(s) field 512A maystore contact information for such contributing user (e.g., an e-mailaddress for use in communicating with the contributing user).

With respect to status field 518A, it should be noted that in someembodiments a user associated with a Source (e.g., a user whose accountof a web site comprises a selected Source) may first need to approve theuse of Content on his/her account for selection and transmission to aregistered User Device of a Viewing User prior to such functionalitybeing enabled. Thus, for example, when a user (e.g., a Viewing User oranother user aiding the Viewing User) registers a User Account andindicates or selects one or more Sources to be monitored for Content fortransmission to the User Device, that indication or selection may causeContent Conversion Server 300 to contact the user associated with theindicated or selected Source and request his/her approval of theintended use of the Content of this Source. For example, the userregistering the User Account and providing the indication or selectionof a particular Source to be monitored may also be required to providecontact information for the administrator, owner or account holder ofthe account comprising the Source. The Content of such a Source may onlybe monitored on behalf of the Viewing User associated with the subjectUser Device for so long as the account holder corresponding to theSource provides and maintains his/her approval of such use of theContent. In some embodiments, upon providing his/her approval, theaccount holder may also be requested to provide login credentials orother information that may in some circumstances be required to accessthe Content available via the account.

It should be noted that a record of a User Device database 320 mayinclude fields and/or data in addition to, or different from, thatdepicted in record 500A. For example, an indication of the one or moretransmissions of Content transmitted to the associated User Device maybe stored. In another example, an indication or copy of the Contentpreviously transmitted to the User Device (or an indication or copy ofthe Content currently being displayed on the User Device) may be stored.In yet another embodiment, an available amount of memory for additionalContent available on the User Device may be stored.

In some embodiments, billing information for the User Device may bestored in a record of User Device database 320 (or another database,such as a billing database (not shown)). For example, the person(s) tobe billed for the services provided to the User Device by the ContentConversion Server 300 may be stored, along with information about anoutstanding balance, a billing address, previously paid balances and/oran indication of a payment scheme in accordance with which billing forthe User Device is to be carried out. Various embodiments for billingfor the services of the Content Conversion Server 300 are described inmore detail below.

Referring now to FIG. 5B, illustrated therein is a tabularrepresentation 500B of an example embodiment of a record of a userdevice database 320 (e.g., as it may be stored in a memory 310 of aContent Conversion Server 300 and/or in a memory of another device).Tabular representation 500B is referred to herein as record 500B.

The record 500B defines the following example fields (i) a user deviceidentifier 502B; (ii) a viewing user identifier 504B; (iii) a contentmanager identifier 506B; (iv) a minimum content indicator 508B; (v) aschedule 510B; (vi) a selected source 512; and (vii) a source identifier510B. Fields that are names the same as fields in record 500A areintended to indicate the same type of information and will not bedescribed again for purposes of brevity.

In accordance with some embodiments, an entity may be designated at aContent Manager for a specified User Device. The Content Manager maycomprise, for example, a friend or family member of the Viewing User ofthe User Device (e.g., a friend or family member who purchases andregisters the User Device for the Viewing User). In other embodiments,the Content Manager may comprise an employee of the Content ConversionServer 300, an employee of another associated entity, or a softwaremodule of a computing device (e.g., a software module of ContentConversion Server 300 or a software module of a User Device 400). Thefunction(s) of the Content Manager may be to (i) review availableContent on one or more Sources (e.g., in accordance with a Content rule)and select Content from such Sources for transmission to an associatedUser Device; (ii) otherwise obtain Content for, or obtain Content for,transmission to an associated User Device (e.g., by himself/herselfposing Content on a Source, providing Content directly to ContentConversion Server, and/or prompting other users to post Content on aSource or provide Content to Content Conversion Server); (iii) select orindicate one or more Content rules for use in selecting Content; (iv)select or indicate one or more default rules for use in selectingContent (default rules may be used in certain embodiments and areexplained in detail elsewhere herein); (v) approve and/or authorizespecific Content for transmission to an associated User Device; (vi)provide and/or approve display and/or transmission rules for use intransmitting Content to a User Device (e.g., a minimum contentthreshold, a schedule, a format for display or other output of Content,etc.); (vii) annotate, format, summarize, alter, modify and/oramalgamate Content; and/or (viii) control one or more settings of a UserDevice of the Viewing User for whose benefit the Content is transmittedto the User Device. A Content Manager may have different permissionsand/or account settings for an account of a registered User Device thananother user (even a Viewing User in some embodiments) associated withthe User Device.

In one embodiment, a Content Manager may be responsible for requestingContent from other users associated with a given User Device, In such anexample, the Content Conversion Server 300 may provide functionality forhelping the Content Manager send reminders to one or more usersassociated with an account of a User Device of a Viewing User who haveagreed to provide such Content. In another embodiment, a Content Managermay be responsible for approving or selecting which Content selectedfrom a Source or otherwise obtained from such users should be forwardedto the User Device of the Viewing User. A Content Manager may also beresponsible for instructing Content Conversion Server 300 on how and/orwhen Content should be transmitted and/or output by the associated UserDevice. For instance, the Content Manager may control any number ofcharacteristics or Content transmission, such as which Content totransmit, when to transmit the Content, how frequently to send Contentand how to store the Content locally on the associated User Device.

As described, in some embodiments, a Content Manager may be responsiblefor instructing the Content Conversion Server 300 on how Content shouldbe output on the User Device. There may be any number of outputoptions/settings that can be selected by the Content Manager, such asthe speed of output, the frequency of output, the volume of audiooutput, the brightness, contrast and or color of image output, an amountof time the Content is output, which locally stored Content to output,etc. The Content Manager may also be responsible for the order in whichContent is output on the associated User Device. For example, a ContentManager may create a slideshow of pictures to be output on theassociated User Device. In another example, a Content Manager may applysettings that determine the order of Content to be output, e.g., displaypictures of a specific type before pictures of another type.

Referring now to FIG. 5C, illustrated therein is a tabularrepresentation 500C of an example embodiment of a record of a userdevice database 320 (e.g., as it may be stored in a memory 310 of aContent Conversion Server 300 and/or in a memory of another device).Tabular representation 500C is referred to herein as record 500C. In theembodiment of record 500C, information descriptive of Sources associatedwith a Viewing User or a User Device of a Viewing User is stored, forpurposes of enabling an entity (e.g., Content Conversion Server 300, aContent Manager, or another entity) to determine auxiliary informationthat may be helpful in providing context, a summary or annotations toContent to be transmitted to a User Device. For example, as illustratedin FIG. 2, in some embodiments Content Conversion Server 300 may selectContent from multiple selected Sources and format the selected Contentinto an interface that also includes some explanation or summary textthat puts context to the Content. In such embodiments, it may be helpfulto the Content Conversion Server 300 to store additional informationabout the selected Sources, which information can be accessed to helpcreate such explanation or summary text. Of course, in other embodimentssuch additional information may be obtained via other means (e.g., bycontacting a Contributing User or Viewing User for additionalinformation, doing an online search, etc.).

The record 500C defines the following example fields (i) a user deviceidentifier 502C; (ii) a source identifier 504C; (iii) a source nickname506C which stores an easy-to-remember nickname for a particular source(e.g., a nickname indicative of the Contributing User associated withthe Source); (iv) a Source relation indication 508C which indicates arelationship of the Contributing User who is the manager of thecorresponding Source (e.g., the account holder of the social networkingweb site account comprising the Source) to the Viewing User; (v) anassociated person(s) 510C which stores an indication of one or morepersons who may be referenced in the corresponding Source or in Contentmade available on the corresponding Source, or who may provide Contentto the corresponding Source but may not be the account holder of thecorresponding Source (in the illustrative embodiment of record 500C, arelationship of the associated person to the account holder of thecorresponding Source is also indicated in this field); and (vi) a Sourcelocation 512C which indicates a location in which the account holder(e.g., a residency address, a current location). Fields that are namesthe same as fields in record 500A and 500B are intended to indicate thesame type of information and will not be described again for purposes ofbrevity.

As described, in some embodiments the information stored in record 500Cis intended to aid an entity tasked with modifying, appending,summarizing, annotating or explaining Content obtained from one or moreSources with additional information. In other embodiments, theinformation stored in record 500C may be helpful in obtaining defaultContent based on one or more default Content rules. As described in moredetail elsewhere herein, in some embodiments default Content may beobtained and transmitted to a Viewing User's User Device (e.g., if theContent selected and transmitted from one or more selected Sources inaccordance with a selected Content rule is insufficient to satisfy aminimum content threshold). In such embodiments, information stored inthe record 500C may be helpful in obtaining such default Content. Forexample, one or more of the associated person(s) indicated in field 510Cmay be contacted (e.g., in some embodiments contact information may bestored in association with each such person) and requested to provideContent. In another embodiment, the source location information storedin field 512C may be accessed to determine what location to obtain localnews (e.g., local weather, top local stories, etc.) to provide to theViewing User's User Device (e.g., grandma may be interested to know whatthe weather is like today in her grandchildren's hometown or what is onthe front page of their local paper, if there is no other morepersonalized Content available for transmission or otherwise).

It should be noted that any of the information stored in any of theexample records 500A, 500B and 500C may be updated by Content ConversionServer 300 based on information received directly from a user (e.g., aViewing User, a Contributing User, a Content Manager, an operator oremployee of Content Conversion Server 300, etc.). Similarly, any of thedatabases and data may be accessed by any of such users for variouspurposes described herein.

Referring now to FIG. 6, illustrated therein is a tabular representation600 of an embodiment of Content rules database 330, which may be storedin a memory of Content Conversion Server 300 or another device. TheContent rules database may include a plurality of records, each recorddefining a rule based upon which Content may be selected from one ormore selected Sources for transmission to an associated User Device.Although eight (8) records are shown, it should be understood that aContent rules database 330 may include any number of records. Tabularrepresentation 600 is referred to as Content rules database 600 herein.

The Content rules database 600 includes a plurality of fields,including: (i) a rule identifier 602 which uniquely identifies a rule;and (ii) a rule description 604 which explains the Content to beselected based on the subject rule. It should be understood thatalthough the rules description 604 is illustrated as being in humanreadable form, in some embodiments such a rule may be more complex andprovided in software code of an appropriate computer language, forimplementation by a processor of a device tasked with selecting Contentfrom a Source based on the rule. In some embodiments, a menu ofavailable rules may be output to a user authorized to select a Contentrule to be associated with a particular User Device. The example rulesillustrated in Content rules database 600 are not intended to belimiting and are merely some examples of rules that may be useful ordesirable by users of the presently described systems and methods. Itshould further be noted that although the rules illustrated are rulesfor affirmatively including or selecting Content for transmission to aUser Device, in some embodiments a rule may define Content that is to beexcluded from selection or transmission to a User Device. For example,Applicants envision that some Viewing Users may desire to excludecertain types of Content (e.g., current location information, commentsfrom other users on a posting posted by a first user, etc.) fromtransmission to the Viewing User's Viewing Device (e.g., grandma may bevery interested in a cute photo of her grandson that is posted on asocial networking site by his mom, but not very interested in all theinevitable “awwww” comments by friends and family who view and commenton the photo).

Referring now to FIG. 7, illustrated therein is a tabular representation700 of an example embodiment of a Content database 325, which may bestored in a memory of a Content Conversion Server 300 or another device.A Content database 325 may store a plurality of records, each recorddefining selected Content associated with a particular User Device.Tabular representation 700 is referred to as Content database 700herein. The Content stored in Content database 700 may comprise, forexample, Content that has been obtained for transmission to a particularUser Device (e.g., Content that has been selected from one or moreselected Sources based on a Content rule associated with the User Deviceand/or Content provided by a user who is not a Viewing User).

In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the data illustrated is all associated witha single registered User Device, the User Device with User Deviceidentifier ending in the digits “221.3.” It should be understood thatwhile in some embodiments a distinct record may be stored for eachregistered User Device in a Content database 325, in other embodiments aContent database 325 may store Content associated with many differentregistered User Device (and, for example, may be searchable by the UserDevice identifier associated with each Content instance). It shouldfurther be noted that in some embodiments, a particular Content instancemay be associated with more than one User Device identifier (e.g., in anembodiment in which it is possible that the same Content instance betransmitted to more than one User Device). In the embodiment of FIG. 7,each Content instance is associated with a single User Device identifier(as evidenced by the Content identifier, a portion of which comprisesthe last four digits of the User Device identifier with which it isassociated).

The Content database 700 includes a plurality of fields, including: (i)a Content identifier field 702; (ii) special instructions 704; and (iii)a status 706. With respect to the Content identifier field 702, thisidentifier uniquely identifies a Content instance associated with aparticular User Device. This identifier may, in some embodiments, begenerated by the Content Conversion Server 300 when the Content instanceis received by the Content Conversion Server 300 (e.g., when the Contentinstance is downloaded or copied from a Source or when it is receivedfrom a user). With respect to the special instructions 704, suchinstructions may be provided by a user (e.g., a Viewing User or anotheruser associated with the Viewing User, such as a user who initiallyprovided the Content, a user helping to manage the Content of theViewing User's User Device and/or a Content manager) and govern thestorage, transmission, handling, management and/or output of the Contentinstance. For example, in one embodiment a Viewing User to whose UserDevice a particular Content instance is transmitted may enjoy theContent so much that he/she may request that a hard copy of the Contentinstance by provided to the Viewing User (e.g., a print of a digitalphoto, if the Content instance comprises a digital photo) and/or thatthe Content instance be permanently (or until further notice) maintainedfor display on the Viewing User's User Device (e.g., that it not bereplaced or deleted until further notice, even if additional or newContent is transmitted to the Viewing User's User Device). With respectto the status field 706, it should be noted that the data illustrated asbeing stored in this field includes a date and time at which the Contentwas initially transmitted to the relevant User Device and a date andtime at which the Content was replaced with other Content. For example,in some embodiments unless special instructions are received to keep aContent instance available for output (e.g., displayed) on a ViewingUser's User Device, such Content will automatically be replaced overtime (e.g., after a predetermined period of time, once memory storage onthe User Device runs low, in order to make room for new Content or onanother basis). If a status indicates that a Content instance iscurrently “active” that may mean that the Content is currently beingoutput on a User Device.

The last record of the Content database 700 for Content identifier“6C221.3-8910380” has an associated status of “pending approval.” Such astatus may be appropriate in embodiments in which selected Content mayneed to be approved prior to being transmitted to a corresponding UserDevice. For example, as described herein, in some embodiments a ContentManager may need to approve Content prior to it being transmitted to aUser Device. In another embodiment, it may be questionable as to whethercertain Content qualifies for transmission to a User Device based on aContent rule. In such circumstances, the Content may be “tentatively”selected but may need to be approved (e.g., by an employee of anoperator of the Content Conversion Server) prior to being transmitted.In yet another example, in embodiments in which an account holder of anaccount comprising a Source may need to approve use of the Content fortransmission to a User Device, Content may be tentatively selected fromthe Source prior to such approval but not transmitted to a User Deviceunless and until such approval is received from the account holder.

In some embodiments, the Content database 700 may be useful indetermining whether a minimum content threshold has been satisfied or islikely to be satisfied for a given time frame. For example, ContentConversion Server 300 may access the data in Content database 700 todetermine how much Content (or how many Content instances) have beentransmitted to a particular User Device in a particular time frame andcompare this to the minimum content threshold associated with the UserDevice.

It should be understood that, with respect to any of the example uses ofany of the databases described above with reference to FIGS. 5A-5C, FIG.6 and FIG. 7, such uses of the databases (and data stored therein) maybe performed by any of the devices of system 100 (FIG. 1) even thoughsuch uses have mainly been described as being performed by ContentConversion Server 300. It should further be understood that, withrespect to any of the example uses of these databases, in someembodiments such uses may be performed partially or wholly by a person(e.g., a user, an employee of an operator of Content Conversion Server300, etc.). Thus, for example, in some embodiments an employee of anoperator of Content Conversion Server 300 may be tasked with mergingselected Content that had been selected from multiple Sources into anissue of a weekly newsletter to be transmitted to a User Device forenjoyment by a Viewing User. In some embodiments, such an employee mayfurther be tasked with modifying or annotating the selected Content by,for example, providing a textual summary of the Content. Thus, theemployee may derive clues, additional information or explanations to usein providing such a textual summary by viewing the Content (as selectedor by going directly to the Source from which the Content had beenselected), by accessing a Content database 325, by accessing a UserDevice database 320, by contacting a user to obtain information, bydoing research on the Internet, or otherwise. The employee may thenutilize such clues, additional information or explanations in creatingthe newsletter.

Referring now to FIG. 8, illustrated therein is a flowchart of a process800 consistent with some embodiments described herein. It should benoted that process 800 (and all processes described herein, includingthose described with respect to FIG. 9, FIG. 10, FIG. 11 and FIG. 12) isexemplary only and should not be construed in a limiting fashion. Forexample, additional and/or substitute steps to those illustrated may bepracticed within the scope of the present invention and in one or moreembodiments one or more steps may be omitted or modified.

The process 800 comprises a registration process for registering a UserDevice of a Viewing User to receive the services of Content ConversionServer 300, such that selected Content from one or more selected Sourcesmay obtained and transmitted to the User Device of the Viewing User. Itshould be noted that the registration process 800 may occur over anetwork (e.g., a cellular or Internet network connection), over thetelephone, via postal mailings or another appropriate form ofcommunication. Depending on how the registration process 800 isoccurring, communications described with respect thereto may be outputto the entity involved in the registration process by means of a displayof a computing device (e.g., a display of the User Device beingregistered or another computing device), via a web site, via a textmessage, an e-mail message, a voicemail message, a conversation over thetelephone, an MMS message or otherwise. Input of information by theentity involved in the process 800 may similarly be provided by any ofthe above means.

A request to register a User Device is received in 802. The request maycomprise a request to register a User Device for transmission ofContent, such that Content may be transmitted to the registered UserDevice for the benefit of a Viewing User. The request may be receivedfrom, for example, the Viewing User for whose benefit the Content is tobe transmitted to the User Device, a Contributing User to be associatedwith the User Device, another user helping the Viewing User obtainContent for the User Device (e.g., a friend or family member of theViewing User who may not necessarily be contributing Content to the UserDevice), a Content Manager, or another entity. A request to register aUser Device may be received, for example, via a web site operated by oron behalf of Content Conversion Server 300, an e-mail message, atelephone call, or otherwise. For example, in some embodiments a usermay proactively go onto a designated web site, send an e-mail or make aphone call to provide the request. In some embodiments, a User Devicemay store instructions which cause it to make the request (e.g., a UserDevice may be preprogrammed with software or firmware, or have asoftware application downloaded to it which, when executed, cause theUser Device to contact the Content Conversion Server 300 in order toregister itself with the Content Conversion Server). For example, asimplified User Device (e.g., a digital picture frame operable tocommunicate remotely with the Content Conversion Server 300 over theInternet or a cellular connection) may be purchased with pre-storedinstructions that cause it to contact the Content Conversion Server 300and register itself the first time it is plugged into a power source andprovided access to the appropriate network.

The request received in 802 may include various information(automatically or in response to one or more prompts for suchinformation). For example, a Viewing User may be identified, one or moreContributing Users may be identified, a User Device identifier may beprovided, etc. Contact information which allows any of the foregoing tobe contacted (e.g., e-mail address, telephone number, static IP address)may also be provided. In some embodiments, if it is the subject UserDevice itself that is making the registration request, the User Devicemay be programmed to automatically provide contact information and/oranother User Device identifier.

It is determined in 804 whether the registration request is approved.For example, it may be verified that the User Device is compatible withthe services being offered by the Content Conversion Server 300, thatthe User Device is not already registered, that all necessaryinformation for completing the registration request has been received,etc. If the request is approved and a unique User Device identifier wasnot already received or created, such a unique User Device identifiermay be generated or assigned at this point. A record may also be createdin a User Device database 320 at this point in the process for the UserDevice approved for registration. The process 800 continues tooutputting a request for selection of Content sources(s) (806) if theregistration request is approved. Otherwise, a denial of theregistration request is output in 808 (e.g., along with an explanationof why the request was denied).

A request for a selection of Content Source(s) may comprise, forexample, outputting via a menu (e.g., output via a web page on a PC orother computing device that is not the User Device or via a display ofthe User Device) a list of available or authorized Source(s). Forexample, a list of the social networking sites with which the ContentConversion Service works may be output. In such embodiments, the requestfor selection of content source(s) may comprise a request to inputinformation enabling the contacting of the selected Source(s). Forexample, an account identifier of the Source or a means of contacting anaccount manager of the Source may be requested. In some embodiments, theentity registering the User Device may be requested to provide Sourceidentifying information without being limited to a menu of preselectedoptions.

The selection of available source(s) is received in 810, including logininformation or credentials such as an account identifier and/or passwordwhich provides access to the account or device comprising the selectedSource(s). Such information may be stored in the record of the UserDevice database corresponding to the User Device.

It is next determined whether the selected Source(s) are approved. Forexample, in some embodiments a request may be sent to a selected Sourceor account holder of the Source, asking the Source or account holder toprovide permission for the Content Conversion Server to obtain Contenttherefrom for transmission to the associated User Device. For example,an e-mail, text, voice or MMS message may be transmitted to a Source oraccount holder of the Source, identifying the User Device (and/orViewing User) who desires to have Content available on the Sourcemonitored and reviewed for selection and transmission to the associatedUser Device in accordance with a Content selection rule. In suchembodiments, a selected Source may not be considered approved unless anduntil the Source or account holder of the Source provides approval orpermission for the Content to be so reviewed or monitored. In otherembodiments, an approval of a Source may comprise Content ConversionServer 300 determining whether the Source otherwise qualifies for theservices provided by the Content Conversion Server 300. If the Source isnot approved, a denial message is output to the entity involved in theregistration process.

If it is determined in 812 that the selected source(s) have beenapproved, the process continues to 814 wherein the selected Source(s)is/are registered in association with the User Device being registered.For example, an indication of the selected Source(s) may be stored inthe relevant record of the User Device database 320. Additionalinformation associated with each approved Source may also be stored,such as a Source identifier (which, in some embodiments, may begenerated or assigned by Content Conversion Server 300) and logininformation for accessing Content available on the approved Source.

In 816, the User Device is added to a queue for Content selection andtransmission. In accordance with some embodiments, each User Device isassociated with a schedule in accordance with which Content on selectedSource(s) is reviewed (or associated Contributing sources are contactedor reminded to provide Content) for selection in accordance with aContent selection rule.

Process 800 may include additional steps in some embodiments. Forexample, the entity involved in process 800 may be prompted to selectone or more Content rules in accordance with which Content is to beselected from the one or more selected Source(s). In another embodiment,a selection of a Content rule may be prompted outside of theregistration process. In some embodiments, a selection of a defaultContent rule may also be prompted during the registration process (or aspart of another process).

In some embodiments, the registration process 800 may include obtainingbilling information to associate with the User Device being registered(e.g., an indication of who should be billed for the services of ContentConversion Server 300 and a means for obtaining payment therefrom). Asdescribed with respect to FIG. 3, in some embodiments Content ConversionServer 300 may include a billing application 315F. A billing application315F may comprise instructions in accordance with one or more billingmechanisms available via the Content Conversion Server 300.

In one embodiment, the billing application 315F may be designed tohandle prepayment by payers. Prepayment amounts may be added to anaccount balance that is decremented by billing application 315F eachtime the billable service of Content Conversion Server 300 is used orprovided. When the balance gets low, another prepayment mayautomatically be charged, or the appropriate paying user may be requiredto call or to approve another prepayment. In another embodiment, billingapplication 315F may track billable services used or provided, calculatean amount owed and send a bill for services rendered to the appropriatepaying user.

In various embodiments, billing may occur based on a variety of rules—afirst example is that they may occur as a function of time expired(e.g., monthly, quarterly) or as a function of service consumed (e.g., #of messages sent, billing amount threshold). And, of course, the systemmay be designed to handle prepayments and post-billing.

The billing mechanisms of Content Conversion Server 300 can be designedto support a variety of payment structures that may involve a variety ofpayers. In one example, the system may be designed such that theContributing User or Source who provides Content for transmission to aUser Device is responsible for paying for the transmission of Content toa registered User Device. In such an example, Contributing User may setup a billing account when they register/activate the service for aregistered User Device and he or she understands that he or she isresponsible for paying for Content transmitted to the registered UserDevice.

In another example, the system may be designed to allow (or may evenrequire) the Viewing User who is receiving Content on his/her UserDevice to pay for any incoming Content transmitted to the registeredUser Device. In this example, the sender of Content may not beresponsible for paying for Content he or she sends to a Viewing User'sUser Device. Such an example may be particularly useful for a ViewingUser who wants to be able to receive Content from friends or familymembers. For instance, an elderly grandparent who cannot use a computermay find this service is a good way to keep in touch with hergrandchildren. When she registers for the service (e.g., by calling acorresponding Call Center associated with Content Conversion Server 300)she agrees to pay for Content that her grandchildren transmit to herUser Device. User accounts may then be established for the grandchildren(either by the grandchildren, or by the grandparent), each of which maythen be linked to the grandparent's account. Billing application 315Fmay recognize this link and charge the grandparent for each Content sentto her from the grandchildren's' accounts. It should be noted that inembodiments in which a Viewing User is the payer for some Contenttransmitted to his/her registered User Device, it is not necessarily thecase that the recipient pays for all Content so received. Indeed, thesystem can be designed such that a Viewing User may set up an account(or have an account set up on his/her behalf) and agree to pay for anyContent that the Viewing User receives from associated/authorizedContributing Users. However, in some embodiments the system may also bedesigned to allow a Viewing User to pay for some Content transmitted tohis/her registered User Device but not for all such transmitted Content.For instance, a Viewing User may identify a subset of Contributing Usershe or she wants to pay for Content from—all other Content transmitted tothe Viewing User's registered User Device may therefore be paid for byanother user (e.g., the sender, a third party). Additionally, a ViewingUser may agree to receive Content, but may limit the amount of Contentthat either he or she is willing to pay for, or that may be sent to hisor her registered User Account (e.g., in a given period of time). Insome embodiments, such limits may be Contributing User specific and/orSource specific as well. In one example, a limit may be placed on theamount of Content that can be transmitted from a specified ContributingUser or Source. It should be noted that in referring to a Viewing Useragreeing to pay for Content, it is envisioned that another user (e.g., aContent Manager, a Contributing User and/or a friend or family member ofthe Viewing User) may be the payer instead of the Viewing User.

In yet another embodiments, Content transmission may not be paid for byeither the sender or the recipient of the Content, but rather a partyother than the sender or payer (herein referred to as a third partypayer) may elect to pay. For instance a set of users in the system maybe linked to a single user account that is responsible for paying forthe Content sent by the set of users to which the account is linked. Insome examples, third party payer responsibilities may overlap withrecipient payer responsibilities (and vice versa). For example, agrandfather may register for an account and agree to pay for ANY Contentcontributed by his grandchildren, whether to his registered User Deviceor another User Device. As such, when the grandchildren are the Sourcesof Content transmitted to the grandfather's User Device, the grandfatheris a recipient payer, and when the grandchildren are the Source ofContent transmitted to another User Device, the grandfather is a thirdparty payer.

It should be understood that any and all of the above described paymentstructures—sender as payer, recipient as payer and third party aspayer—may be combined. In one such example, a recipient may register asa payer for a first set of users that contribute Content to hisregistered User Device. A second set of users may also contributeContent to his registered User Device; however, each user of this secondset of users may be responsible for paying for the Content theycontribute. Additionally, a third set of users may be ContributingContent to the same User Device, however the Content contributed by eachuser of the third set of users is paid for by a third party. In suchembodiments, billing application 315F may be designed such that it canrecognize each one of these payment relationships and bill theappropriate party each time Content is transmitted to the registeredUser Device. In some embodiments, a group of users associated with aregistered User Device may pay collectively, wherein each user of thegroup of users puts money into a common fund that is used to pay for thegroup's Content that is transmitted to the User Device. It should benoted that when the concept of a user “contributing” Content to a UserDevice is used herein, it refers to Content that is transmitted to theUser Device by means of being selected from a Source by ContentConversion Server 300, an associated Content Manager or otherwise, isprovided directly by the Contributing User to the User Device or isprovided directly by the Contributing User to the Content ConversionServer 300 and forwarded to the User Device.

Referring now to FIG. 9, illustrated therein is a process 900 that maybe performed in accordance with some embodiments described herein.Process 900 may be performed, for example, by Content Conversion Server300. Process 900 comprises a process for selecting Content for aspecific User Device based on data associated with the User Device. Asdescribed with reference to FIG. 8, once a User Device is successfullyregistered, it may be placed in a queue for Content selection andtransmission. Process 900 is one example of how User Devices in such aqueue may be treated. It should be noted that although the term “queue”is used for illustrative purposes, it is not intended to imply that onlya single registered User Device may be processed at any given time;rather, in some embodiments a plurality of User Devices may be putthrough the process 900 in parallel.

A registered User Device is selected for processing in 902. For example,the next registered User Device that needs fresh Content may be selectedor a registered User Device may be selected based on a current time anda schedule associated with the User Device. The one or more selectedSources associated with the User Device are then determined in 904. Forexample, the appropriate record of a User Device database 320 may beaccessed based on a User Device identifier of the selected User Device.The one or more selected Content rules associated with the User Deviceare then determined in 906. For example, the one or more Content rulesidentifiers associated with the User Device in a record of the UserDevice database 320 may be determined and the appropriate rulescorresponding to the rule identifiers may be determined based oninformation stored in a Content rules database 325.

The one or more selected Sources determined in 904 are then accessed in908. For example, if a selected Source comprises an account or page of asocial networking site, a cloud storage site or a digital photographysite, accessing the Sources may comprise retrieving the logincredentials for the account or page (e.g., as stored in a Sourcedatabase) and using the credentials to access the account or page inorder to review the Content available thereon. If the selected Sourcecomprises a User Device of a Contributing User, accessing the Source maycomprise contacting (e.g., via e-mail or text message) the ContributingUser or accessing content stored on the User Device remotely (e.g., alsousing the appropriate login credentials).

In 910 it is determined whether qualifying Content is available oridentified. For example, Content may be considered qualifying Content ifit satisfies the one or more Content rules determined for the UserDevice and a determination of what Content is newly available or postedsince the last time the Source was accessed or reviewed for Content. Ifqualifying Content is identified, the process 900 continues to 914,wherein it is downloaded or copied to a memory of Content ConversionServer 300. For example, newly posted digital photos may be downloadedor copied.

It should be noted that in an alternate embodiment, a Source that is aselected Source may be instructed (e.g., upon being registered as aselected Source associated with one or more User Devices of one or moreViewing Users) to transmit to the Content Conversion Server 300 anyqualifying or potentially qualifying Content (or, in some embodiments,any Content that the Contributing User associated with the Source wouldlike to request be transmitted to the User Device). In such embodiments,rather than Content Conversion Server 300 actively accessing theselected Sources and pulling Content therefrom, the Content ConversionServer 300 may be programmed to receive and review such Content fromselected Sources and store it in association with the appropriate UserDevice of a Viewing User (e.g., the Content may be tagged with theidentifier of the User Device to which it is intended to betransmitted). Upon receiving such Content in these embodiments, theContent Conversion Server 300 may determine whether the received Contentqualifies for transmission to an associated User Device (e.g., based onone or more Content rules associated with the User Device). In suchembodiments, the Content that is referred to in process 900 as thedownloaded or copied Content may instead be received and reviewedContent.

Returning now to process 900, in 916 the downloaded (or received andreviewed, depending on the embodiment) Content is formatted prior totransmission to the appropriate User Device. For example, the ContentConversion Server 300 (or another device or entity, such as a ContentManager) may be operable to resize the Content, adjust the size of thefile of the Content, combine the Content with other Content (e.g., intoa template, newsletter, letter, etc.), provide a note, annotation, audiofile, summary or explanation of the Content, modify the content, etc. Ofcourse, in some embodiments the Content may not be formatted at all andmay simply be forwarded to the appropriate User Device in its originalform. The qualifying (and perhaps formatted) Content is then forwardedto the appropriate User Device for output on the User Device inaccordance with one or more output settings or rules of the User Device.

If, in 910, no qualifying Content has been identified, the processcontinues to 912 wherein a minimum Content threshold associated with theUser Device is determined (e.g., based on information stored in a recordof the User Device database 320). It is determined in 920 whether anyaction is necessary to obtain Content for the User Device such that theminimum content threshold is satisfied or is likely to be satisfied fora given period of time. If not action is necessary (e.g., the minimumcontent threshold has been satisfied for the current period of time),the process ends (922). Otherwise, the process 900 continues to 924,wherein an appropriate action is initiated to obtain additional Contentfor transmission to the User Device, such that the minimum contentthreshold is satisfied or is likely to be satisfied. Example actionsthat may be initiated as part of 924 are discussed in detail withrespect to process 1000 of FIG. 10. It should be noted that steps 912,920 and 924 may, in some embodiments, be performed outside of process900 (e.g., as a distinct process for determining whether a minimumcontent threshold associated with a given User Device has been satisfiedor is likely to be satisfied for a given period of time) or even ifqualifying Content is identified in 910.

Referring now to FIG. 10, illustrated therein is a process 1000 that maybe performed in accordance with embodiments described herein. Process1000 may be performed, for example, by Content Conversion Server 300.Process 1000 is one example process of how Content may be moreproactively obtained for a given User Device. For example, process 1000may be utilized if it is determined that reviewing selected Sources fornewly available Content (or receiving new Content from selected Sources)is determined to be insufficient to satisfy a minimum Content thresholdof associated with the User Device.

In 1002 it is determined that there is a need to obtain Content for aspecified User Device. For example, such a need may be determined instep 912 of process 900. In another embodiment, a Viewing User maytransmit a request to Content Conversion Serve 300 for additionalContent. In yet another embodiment, process 1000 may be utilized on aperiodic basis and the need may be determined based on a current timemeeting a scheduled time for obtaining Content for a User Device.

In 1004 a user to be contacted in order to obtain the needed Content isidentified. For example, a Contributing User associated with a UserDevice or a Content Manager may be identified. The contact informationfor the identified user (e.g., e-mail address, cellular telephonenumber, other telephone number, static IP address, etc. may bedetermined) may also be determined. The identified user is thencontacted in 1006. For example, an e-mail or text message may be sent tothe user, communicating the need for Content. In an alternateembodiment, the user may be telephoned. In 1008 it is determined whetherContent has been identified (e.g., provided by the identified andcontacted user in response to the communication of 1006). If Content hasnot been identified, the process 1000 may loop back to 1006 and the usermay again be contacted with a reminder. Alternatively, another user maybe identified and contacted (in some embodiments, more than one user maybe identified and contacted in parallel). If Content is identified in1008, the Content is formatted in 1010 and transmitted to theappropriate User Device in 1012.

In another embodiment, in lieu of or in addition to contacting a userand requesting Content in a circumstance in which selecting Content fromone or more selected Sources based on one or more selected Content ruleshas proven insufficient, Content Conversion Server 300 may be programmedto utilize one or more default Content rules to help meet a minimumcontent threshold for a User Device. A default Content rule may beselected by a user associated with a User Device (e.g., a Viewing User,a Contributing User, a Content Manager) or by Content Conversion Server300. A default Content rule is a rule intended to help identify Contentto transmit to a User Device of a Viewing User in a circumstance inwhich selecting Content from one or more selected Sources provides aninsufficient amount or frequency of Content. A default rules if furtherintended to obtain Content that is still somewhat customized for theViewing User and may be of interest to the Viewing User. For example, adefault Content rule may comprise a rule that weather or top newsstories in a location associated with a Contributing User of the ViewingUser be transmitted to the Viewing User's User Device (e.g., lookgrandma, it is 101 degrees and 100% humidity in Johnny's town today(Johnny being a grandson)). In another example, a default Content rulemay specify that Content from one or more selected Sources be selectedeven if it is not the preferred Content indicated by the selectedContent rule of the User Device (e.g., grandma indicated she only wantedto see photos and not text comments or postings but if insufficientphotos are posted on the selected Sources, the text comments andpostings may be transmitted to grandma's digital picture frame to keepthe Content fresh thereon).

Referring now to FIG. 11, illustrated therein is an example process 1100that is consistent with embodiments described herein. Process 1100 maybe performed, for example, by Content Conversion Server 300 herein.Process 1100 illustrates an embodiment in which a Content Manager isassociated with a User Device of a Viewing User and the Content Managermust approve Content prior to its transmission to the User Device.

In 1102 Content intended for transmission to a specified User Device ofa Viewing User is identified. For example, Content may be received byContent Conversion Server 300 from a Source or Contributing User. Inanother example, Content may be selected by the Content ConversionServer 300 base on a review of available Content on one or more selectedSources. In some embodiments, Content received or otherwise obtained byContent Conversion Server 300 is tagged with the identifier of the UserDevice for which it is intended.

In 1104 it is determined whether the Content has been approved by aContent Manager associated with the User Device the Content is intendedfor. For example, in some embodiments a queue of Content available fortransmission to a specified User Device is stored and made available toa Content Manager through a user interface (e.g., a user interfacescreen of an account accessible by the Content Manager on a web siteoperated by or on behalf of Content Server 300). The Content Manager mayaccess such a queue of Content at his/her convenience and indicate whichof the Content, if any, is approved for transmission to the associatedUser Device. In another embodiment, Content may be proactively forwardedto the Content Manager for approval as it is received or otherwiseidentified by Content Conversion Server 300. In some embodiments,Content Manager may be enabled to provide Content for transmission tothe associated User Device. In such embodiments, it may be assumed thatContent so provided by the Content Manager has been approved fortransmission to the User Device.

In 1106 the approved Content is formatted (e.g., by the Content Managerand/or by the Content Conversion Server 300). The formatted Content isthen transmitted to the associated User Device (1108).

It should be understood that the above are merely examples ofembodiments and should not be interpreted in a limiting fashion.Modifications and alterations to one or more methods described hereincould be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. For example, in some embodiments, a User Device may be soldpreloaded with firmware or hardware that allow a Content ConversionServer 300 to monitor and/or review available Content on one or moreSources selected by a user of the User Device and select Content base onone or more rules selected by the User in order to transmit the selectedContent to the User Device in a single stream of Content.

RULES OF INTERPRETATION

Numerous embodiments have been described, and are presented forillustrative purposes only. The described embodiments are not intendedto be limiting in any sense. The invention is widely applicable tonumerous embodiments, as is readily apparent from the disclosure herein.These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable thoseskilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understoodthat other embodiments may be utilized and that structural, logical,software, electrical and other changes may be made without departingfrom the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, those skilled inthe art will recognize that the present invention may be practiced withvarious modifications and alterations. Although particular features ofthe present invention may be described with reference to one or moreparticular embodiments or figures that form a part of the presentdisclosure, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specificembodiments of the invention, it should be understood that such featuresare not limited to usage in the one or more particular embodiments orfigures with reference to which they are described. The presentdisclosure is thus neither a literal description of all embodiments ofthe invention nor a listing of features of the invention that must bepresent in all embodiments.

The terms “an embodiment”, “embodiment”, “embodiments”, “theembodiment”, “the embodiments”, “an embodiment”, “some embodiments”, “anexample embodiment”, “at least one embodiment”, “one or moreembodiments” and “one embodiment” mean “one or more (but not necessarilyall) embodiments of the present invention(s)” unless expressly specifiedotherwise. The terms “including”, “comprising” and variations thereofmean “including but not limited to”, unless expressly specifiedotherwise.

The term “consisting of” and variations thereof mean “including andlimited to”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of theitems are mutually exclusive. The enumerated listing of items does notimply that any or all of the items are collectively exhaustive ofanything, unless expressly specified otherwise. The enumerated listingof items does not imply that the items are ordered in any manneraccording to the order in which they are enumerated.

The term “comprising at least one of” followed by a listing of itemsdoes not imply that a component or subcomponent from each item in thelist is required. Rather, it means that one or more of the items listedmay comprise the item specified. For example, if it is said “wherein Acomprises at least one of: a, b and c” it is meant that (i) A maycomprise a, (ii) A may comprise b, (iii) A may comprise c, (iv) A maycomprise a and b, (v) A may comprise a and c, (vi) A may comprise b andc, or (vii) A may comprise a, b and c.

The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expresslyspecified otherwise.

The term “based on” means “based at least on”, unless expresslyspecified otherwise.

The methods described herein (regardless of whether they are referred toas methods, processes, algorithms, calculations, and the like)inherently include one or more steps. Therefore, all references to a“step” or “steps” of such a method have antecedent basis in the mererecitation of the term ‘method’ or a like term. Accordingly, anyreference in a claim to a ‘step’ or ‘steps’ of a method is deemed tohave sufficient antecedent basis.

Headings of sections provided in this document and the title are forconvenience only, and are not to be taken as limiting the disclosure inany way.

Devices that are in communication with each other need not be incontinuous communication with each other, unless expressly specifiedotherwise. In addition, devices that are in communication with eachother may communicate directly or indirectly through one or moreintermediaries.

A description of an embodiment with several components in communicationwith each other does not imply that all such components are required, orthat each of the disclosed components must communicate with every othercomponent. On the contrary a variety of optional components aredescribed to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of thepresent invention.

Further, although process steps, method steps, algorithms or the likemay be described in a sequential order, such processes, methods andalgorithms may be configured to work in alternate orders. In otherwords, any sequence or order of steps that may be described in thisdocument does not, in and of itself, indicate a requirement that thesteps be performed in that order. The steps of processes describedherein may be performed in any order practical. Further, some steps maybe performed simultaneously despite being described or implied asoccurring non-simultaneously (e.g., because one step is described afterthe other step). Moreover, the illustration of a process by itsdepiction in a drawing does not imply that the illustrated process isexclusive of other variations and modifications thereto, does not implythat the illustrated process or any of its steps are necessary to theinvention, and does not imply that the illustrated process is preferred.

It will be readily apparent that the various methods and algorithmsdescribed herein may be implemented by, e.g., appropriately programmedgeneral purpose computers and computing devices. Typically a processor(e.g., a microprocessor or controller device) will receive instructionsfrom a memory or like storage device, and execute those instructions,thereby performing a process defined by those instructions. Further,programs that implement such methods and algorithms may be stored andtransmitted using a variety of known media.

When a single device or article is described herein, it will be readilyapparent that more than one device/article (whether or not theycooperate) may be used in place of a single device/article. Similarly,where more than one device or article is described herein (whether ornot they cooperate), it will be readily apparent that a singledevice/article may be used in place of the more than one device orarticle.

The functionality and/or the features of a device may be alternativelyembodied by one or more other devices which are not explicitly describedas having such functionality/features. Thus, other embodiments of thepresent invention need not include the device itself.

The term “computer-readable medium” as used herein refers to any mediumthat participates in providing data (e.g., instructions) that may beread by a computer, a processor or a like device. Such a medium may takemany forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatilemedia, and transmission media. Non-volatile media include, for example,optical or magnetic disks and other persistent memory. Volatile mediamay include dynamic random access memory (DRAM), which typicallyconstitutes the main memory. Transmission media may include coaxialcables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires or otherpathways that comprise a system bus coupled to the processor.Transmission media may include or convey acoustic waves, light waves andelectromagnetic emissions, such as those generated during radiofrequency (RF) and infrared (IR) data communications. Common forms ofcomputer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexibledisk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM,DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any otherphysical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, aFLASH-EEPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave asdescribed hereinafter, or any other medium from which a computer canread.

Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carryingsequences of instructions to a processor. For example, sequences ofinstruction (i) may be delivered from RAM to a processor, (ii) may becarried over a wireless transmission medium, and/or (iii) may beformatted according to numerous formats, standards or protocols, such asTransmission Control Protocol, Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Wi-Fi,Bluetooth, TDMA, CDMA, and 3G.

Where databases are described, it will be understood by one of ordinaryskill in the art that (i) alternative database structures to thosedescribed may be readily employed, and (ii) other memory structuresbesides databases may be readily employed. Any schematic illustrationsand accompanying descriptions of any sample databases presented hereinare illustrative arrangements for stored representations of information.Any number of other arrangements may be employed besides those suggestedby the tables shown. Similarly, any illustrated entries of the databasesrepresent exemplary information only; those skilled in the art willunderstand that the number and content of the entries can be differentfrom those illustrated herein. Further, despite any depiction of thedatabases as tables, other formats (including relational databases,object-based models and/or distributed databases) could be used to storeand manipulate the data types described herein. Likewise, object methodsor behaviors of a database can be used to implement the processes of thepresent invention. In addition, the databases may, in a known manner, bestored locally or remotely from a device that accesses data in such adatabase.

For example, as an example alternative to a database structure forstoring information, a hierarchical electronic file folder structure maybe used. A program may then be used to access the appropriateinformation in an appropriate file folder in the hierarchy based on afile path named in the program.

It should also be understood that, to the extent that any term recitedin the claims is referred to elsewhere in this document in a mannerconsistent with a single meaning, that is done for the sake of clarityonly, and it is not intended that any such term be so restricted, byimplication or otherwise, to that single meaning.

In a claim, a limitation of the claim which includes the phrase “meansfor” or the phrase “step for” means that 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6,applies to that limitation.

In a claim, a limitation of the claim which does not include the phrase“means for” or the phrase “step for” means that 35 U.S.C. §112,paragraph 6 does not apply to that limitation, regardless of whetherthat limitation recites a function without recitation of structure,material or acts for performing that function. For example, in a claim,the mere use of the phrase “step of” or the phrase “steps of” inreferring to one or more steps of the claim or of another claim does notmean that 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6, applies to that step(s).

With respect to a means or a step for performing a specified function inaccordance with 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6, the correspondingstructure, material or acts described in the specification, andequivalents thereof, may perform additional functions as well as thespecified function.

Computers, processors, computing devices and like products arestructures that can perform a wide variety of functions. Such productscan be operable to perform a specified function by executing one or moreprograms, such as a program stored in a memory device of that product orin a memory device which that product accesses. Unless expresslyspecified otherwise, such a program need not be based on any particularalgorithm, such as any particular algorithm that might be disclosed inthe present application. It is well known to one of ordinary skill inthe art that a specified function may be implemented via differentalgorithms, and any of a number of different algorithms would be a meredesign choice for carrying out the specified function.

Therefore, with respect to a means or a step for performing a specifiedfunction in accordance with 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6, structurecorresponding to a specified function includes any product programmed toperform the specified function. Such structure includes programmedproducts which perform the function, regardless of whether such productis programmed with (i) a disclosed algorithm for performing thefunction, (ii) an algorithm that is similar to a disclosed algorithm, or(iii) a different algorithm for performing the function.

CONCLUSION

While various embodiments have been described herein, it should beunderstood that the scope of the present invention is not limited to theparticular embodiments explicitly described. Many other variations andembodiments would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art uponreading the present description.

1. A method, comprising: registering, by a processor of a computingdevice, a user device operable to receive, over a network, content fromone or more available sources, thereby determining a registered userdevice, wherein a source of the one or more available sources comprisesan account of a social networking web site or an account of aphotography storage web site; receiving, in association with the userdevice and by the processor, a selection of one or more of the one ormore available sources, thereby determining one or more selectedsources; receiving, in association with the user device, an indicationof at least one content rule for use in determining which contentavailable via the one or more selected sources is to be transmitted tothe user device, thereby determining at least one selected content rule;monitoring, by the processor, content posted on the one or more selectedsources; selecting, by the processor and based on the at least oneselected content rule and the monitoring, content to transmit to theregistered user device, thereby determining selected content; andtransmitting the selected content to the registered user device.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the computing device is the user device. 3.The method of claim 1, wherein the account is an account of a user towhom content from the one or more registered sources is displayed viathe registered user device.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein thecomputing device is operated by a first entity that is distinct from anentity that operates any of the at least one or more available sources.5. The method of claim 1, wherein the registered user device is adedicated device made available to users by an entity that also operatesthe computing device.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the registereduser device comprises a digital photo frame.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein the network comprises at least one of the Internet and awireless network.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:receiving an indication of a minimum content threshold
 9. The method ofclaim 8, wherein the minimum content threshold comprises an indicationof at least one of a frequency with which new content is to betransmitted to the registered user device and a minimum amount of newcontent that is to be transmitted to the registered user device perpredetermined unit of time.
 10. The method of claim 8, furthercomprising: determining, based on the minimum content threshold, thatnew content is due to be transmitted to the registered user device. 11.The method of claim 10, further comprising: determining a defaultcontent rule associated with the device, for use in determining defaultcontent to transmit to the registered user device if use of the at leastone selected content rule is insufficient to satisfy the minimum contentthreshold; using the default content rule to select default content forthe registered user device, thereby determining selected defaultcontent; and transmit the selected default content to the registereduser device.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the default contentrule selects content based on a location of at least one user associatedwith the at least one selected source.
 13. The method of claim 9,further comprising: contacting a user associated with a source of the atleast one selected sources; and outputting a reminder to the user topost content to the at least one selected source in order to satisfy theminimum frequency.
 14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:determining, for the selected content, information descriptive of theselected content; and annotating the selected content with theinformation, wherein transmitting the selected content comprisestransmitting the selected content as annotated.
 15. The method of claim1, wherein transmitting the selected content comprises: populating acustomized newsletter with the selected content, the customizednewsletter further comprising narrative text description of activitiesof users associated with the at least one or more selected sources, thenarrative text description being generated based on content posted onthe one or more selected sources, which may include content that is notselected for transmission to the registered user device.
 16. The methodof claim 1, further comprising: storing, in association with theregistered user device, a schedule governing when content is to betransmitted to the registered user device; and wherein transmitting theselected content comprises transmitting the selected content inaccordance with the schedule.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein theschedule is a means for ensuring that selected content is transmitted tothe registered user device with at least a minimum frequency.
 18. Themethod of claim 16, wherein transmitting comprises: transmitting a firstportion of the selected content at a first time after the determiningthe selected content and transmitting a second portion of the selectedcontent at a second time that is after the first time and afterdetermining the selected content.
 19. A method, comprising: registering,by a processor of a computing device, a user device operable to receive,over a network, content from one or more available sources, therebydetermining a registered user device, wherein a source of the one ormore available sources comprises an account of a social networking website or an account of a photography storage web site and further whereinthe registered user device is associated with a first user who isdesignated as a viewer of content transmitted to the registered userdevice; receiving, in association with the user device and by theprocessor, a selection of one or more of the one or more availablesources, thereby determining one or more selected sources; receiving, inassociation with the user device and by the processor, informationidentifying a second user to serve as a content manager for the userdevice, the content manager being designated to identify and approvecontent to be transmitted to the registered user device, the contentmanager being a user who is distinct from the first user; receiving, bythe processor and from the content manager, an indication of contentselected by the content manager to be transmitted to the registered userdevice, thereby determining selected content; and transmitting, by theprocessor, the selected content to the registered user device.
 20. Themethod of claim 19, wherein one of the at least one selected sources isan account of a third user who is distinct from both the first user andthe second user.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the content manageris provided permission to review content posted by the third user to thethird user's account and select content from the third user's accountfor transmission to the registered user device.
 22. The method of claim19, further comprising: receiving, from the third user, content fortransmission to the registered user device, thereby determiningsuggested content; forwarding the suggested content to the contentmanager for approval; and only transmitting the suggested content to theregistered user device if approval thereof is received from the contentmanager.
 23. The method of claim 19, further comprising: storing aminimum content threshold in association with the registered userdevice, the minimum content threshold comprising an indication of atleast one of a minimum amount of new content to be transmitted to theregistered user device per predetermined unit of time and a minimumfrequency with which new content is to be transmitted to the registereduser device.
 24. The method of claim 23, further comprising:determining, for a current time, that the minimum content threshold willnot be satisfied if new content is not transmitted to the registereduser device before a predetermined time that is after a current time;and contacting the content manager with a reminder to the contentmanager to select and authorize for transmission to the registered userdevice new content from at least one of the one or more selectedsources.
 25. The method of claim 24, further comprising: reviewing thecontent available on the one or more selected sources; and including, inthe reminder, a suggestion of some content that may be appropriate totransmit to the registered user device.
 26. The method of claim 19,further comprising: receiving, from the content manager, narrative textto transmit to the registered user device along with the selectedcontent; and transmitting to the registered user device the narrativetext along with the selected content.
 27. The method of claim 19,wherein the computing device comprises a device operated by the contentmanager.
 28. The method of claim 19, wherein the computing devicecomprises a server device operated by an entity distinct from thecontent manager.
 29. The method of claim 19, wherein the registered userdevice comprises a dedicated device dedicated to displaying the selectedcontent.
 30. The method of claim 19, wherein the network comprises atleast one of the Internet and a wireless network.
 31. The method ofclaim 19, further comprising: storing, in association with theregistered user device, a schedule governing when content is to betransmitted to the registered user device; and wherein transmitting theselected content comprises transmitting the selected content inaccordance with the schedule.
 32. The method of claim 31, wherein theschedule is a means for ensuring that selected content is transmitted tothe registered user device with at least a minimum frequency.
 33. Themethod of claim 31, wherein transmitting comprises: transmitting a firstportion of the selected content at a first time after the determiningthe selected content and transmitting a second portion of the selectedcontent at a second time that is after the first time and afterdetermining the selected content.
 34. The method of claim 19, furthercomprising: receiving from the content manager instructions fortransmitting the selected content to the registered user device; andtransmitting the content to the registered user device in accordancewith the received instructions.
 35. The method of claim 19, furthercomprising: receiving from the content manager instructions fordisplaying the content on a display portion of the registered userdevice; and forwarding, to the registered user device, the instructionsfor displaying.